Constance M. Swanson

CONSTANCE MARCIA SWANSON of Galesburg, died Tuesday, August 23rd from cancer at the Marigold Hospice Care Center. Connie, as she was known to her colleagues, friends and neighbors was born on September 25, 1935 at Flint, Michigan. She was the daughter of Rev. Raymond Swanson and his wife Lucile. Pastor Swanson served First Lutheran Church in Monmouth and as a Visitation Pastor at First Lutheran Church in Galesburg after his retirement.

Surviving is a sister, Luray (and James) Wiberg of Austell, Georgia, a brother in-law, Stan Moore, a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Swanson, three nephews, Marty (and Sue) Wiberg and their children, Dana and Grandson Noah, Doug (and Alice) Moore and their son, Charlie Moore, daughter, Lucy, Paul Swanson (and Erica, five Nieces, Dawn (and Doug) Carlson and their children, Marina, and Amber, Kymm (and Scott) Durocher and their children, Micah and Corbin, Barbara Bryant and her children, Isabel and David, Karen Swanson (Mary Bisson), and Lynn Swanson and her son, James.  She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, David Swanson, and a sister, Janice Moore.

Despite the handicap of hearing loss at birth, Connie succeeded in school by mastering the art of lip reading. When she learned about the new tech item called a hearing aid she was soon doing much better in her communication with people. An outstanding student, she was inducted into the national scholastic organization known as Phi Beta Kappa. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from Augustana College, Rock Island, IL and later a Master of Arts in Mathematics Education from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. She taught in Loves Park, IL and in Pleasantville, NJ.

When IBM opened one of its first computer centers in New York Connie applied for a position with the Company and served for 25 years in NY and in Rochester MN until retirement when she moved to Galesburg. At IBM she coded and tested operating systems for the 5/400, 5/38 and 5/34 Computer Systems. One of her main projects was coding and testing programs to interpret flight plans and to match radar returns to flight plans on Air Traffic Control Systems. Later she led 4 teams in developing tools and utilities for IBM systems.

In Galesburg she has pursued her love for serving people and became a math tutor for students who were seeking to get the high school diplomas through the GED program. She greatly enjoyed the contact with people who were serious about their studies.

In retirement she pursued her first and primary goal of serving others through First Lutheran Church in Galesburg. A regular participant in worship, she taught Bible Studies and participated in sewing, quilting and fellowship groups. Her other pursuits have been her hobbies: traveling, photography, reading, crocheting, knitting and painting. A specialist in the Norwegian Art of Rosemaling, Connie created many beautiful designs in Norwegian Folk Art style.  A luncheon at First Lutheran Church will take place following the funeral in the Church Fellowship Hall.

Anyone who knew Connie, including those who are acquainted with her art work are invited to come and celebrate the life of Constance Marcia Swanson on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 11: 00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, on Seminary Street in downtown Galesburg, Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Friday September 16, 2022, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg.  Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church or Augustana College.  Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com. 

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