Joyce E. Swanson

Joyce Elaine Swanson, 85, of Walthill, NE, passed away on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at her home near Walthill. The visitation will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walthill, NE. The funeral service will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh–Smith Funeral Home in Pender.

Joyce was born on June 16, 1939, in Ridgeway, MO, the daughter of Ernest James and Hazel (Shepherd). At a young age, Joyce and her family moved to the Homer, NE area. She attended grade school in Homer and graduated from Lyons High School in 1957. On November 22, 1961, she was united in marriage to Russell Swanson in Pender, NE. Four children were born to this union: Pete, Margaret(Peggy), Rebecca, and Jennifer. The couple made their home on the farm on which Russell was raised. She worked for many years at Wis-Pak in Sioux City, IA, and helped Russell on the farm. Together they enjoyed dancing. Joyce also loved to tend to her garden, but most of all, she loved her family.

Joyce is survived by daughters, Rebecca Koob (Joseph Babij) of Walthill, NE, Jennifer (Wally) Juhlin of Crawford, NE; eight grandchildren, Dustin Swanson, Ashten Short, Martina Lemmon, McKenna Juhlin, Logan Short, James Olson, Steven Olson, and Daniel Olson; several great-grandchildren; and her nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Hazel Milligan; husband, Russell; son, Pete Swanson; daughter Margaret “Peggy” Maslonka; son-in-law, Tom Koob; and a sister, Lynn Ahlers.