Mrs. Ruby Kathleen Swedeen, 104, lived a long full life, passing away peacefully at 6:50 am Friday, October 21, 2022, at the Courtyard Estates in Galva, Illinois.
Ruby was born June 27, 1918, at her family’s home in Dahinda, Illinois the daughter of William E. and Ruth E. (Cadwell) Pennington. She married Andrew Loren Swedeen on June 27, 1937, in Galesburg. After nearly 60 years of marriage, he passed away on March 28, 1997.
Ruby is survived by her children, Jerry L. (Diane) Swedeen of Toulon, Illinois, Edward L. (Mary Jo) Swedeen of LaFayette, Illinois and Sally J. (the late Ken) Olmstead of Euless, Texas; eight grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren and her loving caregiver and friend, Rose Wexell. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her two sisters Florence E. Dalton and Ethel Dawson.
Ruby attended Victoria schools, she married the love of her life and started a family. She was grateful to have stayed home with her children and be a homemaker.
Ruby enjoyed a big garden and canning her fruits and vegetables that she grew. She was known to can 100 quarts of apple sauce to give to her family every year. She also canned green beans and tomatoes. Ruby was a health nut before being a health nut was popular. She was known to juice her carrots. Her grandchildren remember her saying, “You can’t ride the pony until you finish drinking your carrot juice.”
Ruby was a member of the Walnut Grove Retirees and the War Mothers in Altona. She had attended the West Jersey Methodist Church and the First Church of God, Galesburg.
Funeral Services are scheduled for 10 am Monday, October 31, 2022, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. The Rev. Lloyd Larson and Rev. Marshall Jones will officiate. Visitation will be 3:00-5:00 pm Sunday, October 30, 2022, at the chapel. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the Jimmy Swaggert Ministries. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
