Rachel A. Swanson (1932-2018)

CHRISTY, STRICKLAND, SWANSON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 7/9/2018 at 15:39:00

Rachel A. Swanson, 86, of Milan, Illinois, and formerly of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, July 5, 2018, at the Avonlea Cottage in Milan, Illinois.

A celebration of Rachel's life will be held at 10 A.M., Friday, July 13, 2018, at First United Methodist Church in Maquoketa, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 P.M. on Thursday, July 12, 2018, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Graveside Services and Burial will be held at 3 P.M., Friday, July 13, 2018, at the McCormick Cemetery, rural Ottumwa, Iowa.

Rachel ArMinta Christy was born on February 3, 1932 in Davis County, Iowa, to Harry B. and Naomi W. (Strickland) Christy. She attended Agency High School and married Harold W. Swanson on September 2, 1950 in Agency, Iowa. To this union four children were born, Nancy, Becky, Sheri and Doug.

Rachel had worked as the lunchroom supervisor at Briggs Elementary School in Maquoketa for over 27 years.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Maquoketa and the United Methodist Women (UMW) where she had served as an officer. Through the years Rachel had been very involved in her community helping as a Girl Scout Leader, Hospice of Jackson County volunteer, Meals-On-Wheels volunteer, Mother's Club member, and active in her Sorority. She loved to play cards and had taught Bridge for years. Additionally, she enjoyed making quilts and knitting, was an expert seamstress, and liked doing jigsaw puzzles.

Those left to honor Rachel's memory include her children, Nancy Swanson of Gunnedah, NSW, Australia, Becky (Jerry) Miller of Blue Grass, IA, Sheri (Brad) Hilligoss of Coal Valley, IL and Doug (Sharon) Swanson of Eldridge, IA; 9 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Evelyn Potts of Burlington, IA, and Karen Meeker of the Quad Cities, IL; and brothers-in-law, Charles Swanson of Agency, IA, and Richard Swanson of Ollie, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Robert, Glen and Keith Christy, her husband Harold on December 15, 2005, and a grandson Tyler B. Hilligoss.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church in Maquoketa or to a charity of the donor's choice.

"Rachel's family would like to sincerely thank the staff of Avonlea Cottage in Milan for their care and support of their mother during her time with them."

Online Tributes may be left at www.carsonandson.com.