Mardee Faye Swanson

She was born September 10, 1941, in Curtis, NE to Fay and Gladys Gardner. Mardee grew up in Curtis, NE and worked at her parents movie theater throughout high school. She was a member of the marching band where she was a Drum Majorette, and she also was a member of Job’s Daughters. After graduating from Curtis High School in 1959 she continued her education at a tech school in Omaha that trained secretaries and teletype operators. After completing school, she went to work for the CIA in Washington D.C. It was there that she made a call to Swede Swanson, her high school sweetheart, who was also in D.C. He was so happy to see a girl in jeans! They got engaged later that year and married on April 17, 1960, in Curtis. Through the years they moved to California and Oregon before returning to North Platte and eventually moving and settling South of Hershey in 1974, where they owned and operated a farm and ranch. She said two of the happiest days of her life were when she married Swede and when they moved to Hershey.

Mardee started riding horses, at the age of 27, after her husband began steer wrestling. She immediately loved to “go fast” and began barrel racing with much success over the years. She saw an ad in the local newspaper about a group of ladies that wanted to start a women’s riding club. The rest, as they say is history. Mardee was a charter member of the Velvet Spurs Riding club, which celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2018. Through those beginnings she went on to become a member of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo Queen Committee in the early 1980’s and was instrumental in forming the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association in 1992 where she served as the National Director for 10 years. Mardee was asked to join the NEBRASKAl and Days Board of Directors in 1990. She served a term of four years and elected President her last year. She was involved in many events of Nebraska’s state celebration since its beginning over 55 years ago. She has been a member of Miss Rodeo America Inc. since 1991, most recently as a Lifetime Gold Member and a 2019 Inductee to the MRA Hall of Fame. She was very active in all aspects of MRAI and the MRA Pageant, serving on multiple committees and the Executive Board. Over the years Mardee has been given many awards and honors for her involvement with the Velvet Spurs and NEBRASKAL and Days. She had the honor of carrying the American flag at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo for many years. Mardee said that in her heart she knew that none of this would have happened if she had not become a Velvet Spur member over 50 years ago and learned to ride.

Mardee often talked about the support from all these organizations along with her family when tragedy struck in 1974 with the death of her son, Rocky and in 2004 when her husband, Swede passed away. She was forever grateful to everyone that helped her through those difficult times.

In addition to her passion for rodeo, rodeo queens and pageants Mardee was an active member in the community volunteering at the Prairie Arts center and a was a member of P.E.O. Chapter EB. She loved watching Shane and Sabrena play sports in high school and later in college. She enjoyed traveling all over the world usually in the company of her sister, brother, and sisters-in-law. Her most recent trip this summer was to Ireland with her daughters and friends.

Through the years one of her greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She adored her family and was an amazing role model and example of unconditional love to them.

Mardee will be missed by all that she touched. She was a friend to everyone she met and had a way of making you feel so special! Her beauty, giving spirit, compassion, sense of humor, selfless nature will live on.

Survivors include her son, Shane (Michelle) Swanson of Loveland, CO; daughter, Sabrena (Kelly) Swanson of Sharpsburg, GA; brother, Kim (Linda) Gardner of Johnstown, CO; grandchildren, Katie (Drew) Swanson Parks, Kris (Jess Ferlic) Swanson, and Morgan (Alex) Swanson, Patrick McNamara, and Justin Swanson; great-grandchildren, Sullivan Parks, Vivian Parks and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Swede; son, Rocky; her parents, a father and mother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Swanson; a sister, Sharon Carper; sisters-in-law, Doris Swanson and Evelyn Sines; and a brother-in-law, Kenny Carper.

There will be Celebration of Life in Georgia as well as a final memorial in North Platte, Nebraska

Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. – Community Christian Church 1717 Hwy 154 Sharpsburg, GA - lunch to follow on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. – Harvest Christian Fellowship, 1501 S Dewey St, North Platte, NE –Diet Coke, coffee and dessert to follow. The register book will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday November 11, 2022 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel of North Platte. Inurnment will be at the Lamont Cemetery Southwest of Hershey.

Memorials are suggested to Miss Rodeo Nebraska Scholarship or Miss Rodeo America Scholarship in her memory.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.carmichaelhemperleypeachtree.com for the Swanson family.