Jane Daniel Swenson

Jane Daniel Swenson, 86, peacefully passed from this world into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, May 21, 2023. Jane was born on September 15, 1936 to Marvin and Lillian Branscomb in Dublin, Georgia. Jane was the younger, by six minutes, of identical twins. She and Jessie joined an older sister, Mary Belle and the family was later completed by younger brothers Burl and Joe. Jane and Jessie were born a month premature and suffered from asthma during their childhood. Because of this, they were unable to run and play in the way that most children do. Instead, Jane and Jessie spent many hours drawing people and making up stories about them. Their creativity and artist talents started to develop during this stage of their lives.

Jane attended college at Berry College in Georgia where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics. She taught school for a short period of time before deciding to pursue a career in social work. That pursuit took her to Kansas City. She met her future husband, David, who tragically passed away from cancer nine months after they were married. Jane was able to overcome those dark days and earned her Master’s Degree in social work from the University of Tennessee. She returned to Kansas City and took a job at Della Lamb Neighborhood House. She met Gordon at a YMCA dance in late 1968. This was the beginning of a beautiful relationship that would span over 51 years. Together, they raised two children, Phil and Cindy, in a happy home. They eventually became grandparents to Hayden, Jack, Lily, Wil, and Eli.

Jane continued to work in the social work field until she retired in 1993 due to health issues. She felt a calling to help people, despite the need to stop working the long hours required when she was employed. She began volunteering with different organizations and spent many years working at a clothes closet at Children’s Memorial Church. She touched countless lives through this work. She was dedicated to showing love to those who needed it most and were often the most difficult to love.

Jane and Gordon were active members in the Lutheran church throughout their marriage. They attended Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for many years where she developed wonderful friendships. Jane will be dearly missed by all who knew her. They all can be comforted by the thought that she is in the arms of the Lord and has been reunited with Gordon, Jessie, Mary Belle, Burl, Joe, her parents and other precious family members.

Jane is survived by son Phil (Liz), daughter, Cindy (Lance), and grandchildren, Hayden, Jack, Lily, Wil, and Eli.