Margaret Dillin Swanson

Margaret Ann Dillin Swanson, 78, of Kearney died Friday, August 31, 2012 at St. John's Good Samaritan Center. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at the First Lutheran Church in Kearney. The Rev. Eric Lesher will officiate. Interment will be 2:30 PM in the Guide Rock Cemetery. Please join in the celebration of Margaret's life for a luncheon with the family immediately following the church service. Visitation with family present will be 5-7 PM Tuesday at the O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home. The casket will be closed. Memorials are suggested to the First Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or to St. John's Good Samaritan Center in Kearney. On-line condolences may be submitted to osrfh.com. O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney is in charge of arrangements. Margaret (Margie) was born on January 24, 1934 in Guide Rock, NE to Iva Payne Dillin and Miles Amos Dillin. The youngest of four children, she grew up in Millard, NE and received her education at Millard High School. She grew up loving animals, especially her pet hen and “Butch” the family dog; the season of fall; birds; and her flower garden full of stargazer lilies, peonies, coneflowers, and hydrangeas. Margaret was an accomplished pianist and vocalist through high school and her senior year was a varsity cheerleader with one of her best friends, Norma Jean. Romance was to follow graduation when Margaret married Richard Swanson of Omaha, NE (the love of her life) on January 24, 1953. Margie and Rich had two children, Valerie of Grand Junction, CO and Tom of Jackson, MS. Throughout the high school and college years of her children Margaret spent many hours attending sporting events, sewing dresses for formals, and was always there for her family. Margaret was first employed by the Federal Land Bank in Kearney, NE but was most known for her 25 years of service as the Registrar of Deeds for Buffalo County. She was elected for one year as statewide President of the Nebraska Association of County Clerks, Registrar of Deeds, and Election Commissioners. Margaret also served for two years as Secretary-Treasurer of the Central District Association of County Officials. In addition to Margaret’s love of serving Buffalo County, she belonged to First Lutheran Church, FLC lady’s Bible study, choir, and for several years chaired the yearly stewardship FLC Fall Extravaganza dinners. Preceding Margaret’s passing, were her parents; in-laws, Byron Parker and Betty Swanson Parker; her brother Keith Dillin, Dallas, TX; sister, Virginia Robb, Guide Rock, NE; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; and nephews. Left to continue in honor of Margaret are her husband, Rich; daughter, Val, Grand Junction, CO; son, Tom, Jackson, MS; sister, Kathleen McKay Fee of Lincoln; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Margaret would not want anyone to be sad at her passing. She would say “Just Do It” when life became too complicated. Margaret will be greatly missed. May you enjoy and delight in the miracles of life. God Bless.

Margaret Dillin Swanson

January 24, 1934 - August 31, 2012