Carole “Susie” (McKie) Swanson-Krantz, 86, of Oneida, passed away peacefully at home with her daughters and husband at her side, Tuesday, June 14, 2022, 3:50 PM.
Susie was born on February 29, 1936 in Galesburg. She was the daughter of J. Leslie and Mildred Louise (Rylander) McKie. Mildred was taken to the hospital to deliver Susie in a horse-drawn buggy during a blizzard. Susie married Merrill Duane Swanson on June 19, 1955 in Altona. He preceded her in death on March 12, 1997. She later married Gayle Richard Krantz on August 30, 2003. Susie is survived by her husband, Gayle, at home; daughters, Sherrill (Wendell) Hills of Lynn Center and Teresa (Tom) Swanson-Devlin of Germantown Hills; three grandchildren, Lauren Hills, James (Elizabeth) Hills and Emma Devlin; sister-in-law, Debbie (Greg) Fritz of Galesburg; and nieces and nephews, Nancy Stone, Linda (Gary) Giger, Richard (Elizabeth) McKie, Patricia McKie, Stephanie (Brian) Woodard and Kyle (Casey) Fritz. She was preceded in death by her husband, Merrill, parents, and brothers, Gene McKie and Wayne McKie and sister-in-law, Ina McKie.
Susie lived in the Rio and Oneida area her entire life. She was a 1954 graduate of ROVA High School where she was a cheerleader and Homecoming Attendant all four years. Susie was also crowned the Homecoming Queen alongside her future husband, Merrill. Susie worked as a secretary for the Butler Manufacturing in Galesburg from the time she graduated high school until Sherrill was born. Merrill and Susie worked on a farm near Rio until 1971 when they moved to Oneida. She then went on to work as a secretary for the ROVA school district for 27 years, lovingly known as “Miss Susie or “Grandma Susie” until being forced to retire in the fall of 1996 due to injuries she sustained from a car accident when hit by a drunk driver. When Merrill became bed ridden with MS, Susie worked full-time, while also managing his 24-hour care, until his passing. Susie was a member of the Rio Presbyterian Church and served on the Rio Presbyterian Women’s Service Guild. Most of all, she loved to spend time with her family.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory, Oneida. Funeral service will be 11 AM, Thursday, June 23, 2022 at the Rio Presbyterian Church, 210 E Center Ave, Rio, IL 61472. Cremation rites will be accorded after services. A private family burial of cremated remains will occur at a later date. Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory, Oneida have been entrusted with services. Memorials may be made to the Rio Presbyterian Church, the A O & W Ambulance Service, or Heart & Home (647 W Losey, Ste.3, Galesburg IL). The family also requests friends and family visit Gayle at his home. On-line condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.
