Betty Marie Ottoson Swanson

Betty Marie Ottoson Swanson, 93, of Galesburg, Illinois died peacefully at 5:08 a.m.

Thursday, June 8, 2017 in her home at The Kensington.

She was born February 17, 1924 in Galesburg, the daughter of Edna (Hight) and Ralph

Ottoson. Betty was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Bobby.

She married Fritz DeWayne Swanson June 30, 1946 in Alexis, Illinois. He preceded her

in death on July 7, 2007.

She is survived by a son, Barry (Gail) Swanson of Galesburg and a daughter DeAnne

(Michael) Budde of Quincy, Illinois; her brother, William (Betty Jo) Ottoson of Amarillo,

Texas; six- grandchildren, Lara Wilson (Fletcher), Eric Budde (Becky), Lukas Swanson

(Julie), Matthew Swanson, Julie Bridal (Rick), Sarah Deege (Jeremy) and twelve great-

grandchildren, Fleet and Grace Wilson, Hannah and Cora Budde, Foster, Banks, and Sam

Swanson, Ryan and Abigail Bridal, and Landon, Blaine, and Lydia Deege.

Betty graduated from Alexis High School in 1941 and Cottage Hospital School of

Nursing as an RN in 1946. She was a Private Duty Nurse at Cottage and St. Mary’s

Hospitals, and was Dr. V. M. Dorris’ head nurse until his untimely death in 1972. Betty

was a loyal member of First Presbyterian Church in Galesburg for 71 years.

She was a devoted wife, a loving daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, friend, mother,

grandmother and great-grandmother. She was famous for sending those she loved

personal cards with hand-written notes. Her kindness, compassion, pragmatism and

sense of humor were hallmarks of her vibrant personality.

Betty was an avid Silver Streaks basketball fan, holding a season ticket for 57 years. She

enjoyed watching college basketball games on TV. She read the Register-Mail

newspaper daily and 2-3 books on a weekly basis. The “spunk” that enabled her to

complete Cadet Nurses’ Training at Galesburg Cottage Hospital during WW II served her

well throughout her entire life. She was loved and admired not only by her family, but by

all who knew her. She will be missed immensely.

Betty’s body was donated to the University of Illinois Chicago Medical School and will

be cremated at a later date. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life

at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church of Galesburg.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Galesburg or Beacon of

Hope Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.-h-p-w.com