Ruth (McClellan) Swanson

Ruth McClellan Swanson, 93, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, June 3, 2010 at her daughter's home surrounded by her loving family.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:30 A.M. Monday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Rev. Dean Pickett officiating. Burial will follow on Tuesday at Sumption Prairie Cemetery in South Bend. Friends may call beginning at 10:00 A.M. Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Berrien Community Foundation. Those wishing to sign Ruth's Memory Book may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Ruth was born January 1, 1917 in South Bend, Indiana to Bert & Nellie (Foegley) McClellan. She graduated as Salutatorian from Riley High School in South Bend, and attended Rockford College in Illinois.

On October 7, 1939 she married Harold Swanson in South Bend. Ruth's family was always at the center of her life. She was active in the Red Cross, Campfire Girls, Indian Guides, and served as president of the PTA. She was an avid crossword puzzle fan, and a lifelong learner who read widely and deeply; and studied Spanish as an adult, traveling to Mexico with her class on two occasions. Ruth was a talented seamstress. She leaves a legacy of love and patient courage, along with a beautiful collection of handmade quilts, many of them stitched over the years she and Harold spent in retirement in Venice, Florida.

Ruth is survived by two daughters-Judy (Tony) Belski of St. Joseph, Jill Reddig of Nashville, TN; four grandchildren-Jodie Crandall of Greensboro, NC, Beth (Kevin) Remington of St. Joseph, Christopher Schick of Long Beach, CA, C.J. (Claire) Reddig of Crofton, MD; four great-grandchildren-Donald & Ali Crandall, Jacob Remington, Caitlin & Bennett Reddig; and a special friend Shirley Auringer of St. Joseph. Ruth is also survived by an American Field Service Exchange Student who she and her husband hosted in their home for a year in 1959 & 1960-Inger Kyllingstad of Norway.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Carl McClellan, and her husband Harold on November 26, 2003.

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 3, 2010.

08/13/2023 EJS

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/ruth-swanson-obituary?pid=178378037