She is survived by her sister, Vickey Behm and was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jerry Swanson; and sister, Joyce Haley. Bonnie is adored by 17 nieces & nephews, 38 great-nieces & nephews and 52 great-great-nieces & nephews, who will share her creative stories and fun songs with future generations.
A graduate of Morton High School, Bonnie earned her Master’s degree in education at Western Illinois University and spent most of her life educating and tutoring both children & adults. She was a member of Peoria Area Retired Teachers Association after retiring from IVC.
Bonnie was a member and former Grand Marshall of the Independent Order of the Svithiod, she held local & state positions at the Independent Order of Vasa & Bruge Lodges. She was a lifelong storyteller and member of the Prairie Tellers and loved telling of Swedish folk tales.
Bonnie was involved with many organizations and we apologize we cannot list them all! But one that will be forever memorialized will be her time spent playing fastpitch softball with the Pekin Lettes. She was on the 1965 team and “it was a very good year”…winning 3rd place in the Women’s World Championship Tournament and later inducted into the ASA Hall of Fame. And it dare not go unmentioned that she was a die-hard Packers fan.
A visitation will be held Friday, April 22, 2022 from 5-7 PM and all services will be at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel, 2021 N University St, Peoria, Illinois. Additional visitation is Saturday, April 23, 2022 from 10:30-11 AM and the funeral service will follow at 11 AM with a graveside service immediately after. Funeral Service will be streamed live on FB. Vern & Fran Widmer will officiate.
Memorials may be made to Chillicothe Library District, (In Memo) Children’s Dept.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Davison-Fulton.com for the Swanson family.
