Jeanne Swartz

Jeanne M. Swartz, age 86, Rosholt, SD, passed away Saturday, February 17, 2018, at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton, MN.

The funeral service will be Friday, February 23, at 11:00 a.m. at Bethania Lutheran Church in Rosholt with Rev. Nancy Quatier officiating.  Music will be provided by organist Lana Sand and vocalists Jasmine Swartz, Keith Falken and Kay Braun.

Burial will be at a later date in the Bethania Cemetery, Rosholt.  Honorary urn bearers will be the Monday Coffee Bunch.  Active urn bearers will be Jeanne's grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the church. The Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt is in charge of the arrangements.

Jeanne Marie was born December 17, 1931, to Frank and Luella (Hansen) Hahn, in Wheaton.  She was baptized and confirmed at Bethania Lutheran Church in Rosholt.  She attended rural school at White Rock #3 and graduated as valedictorian from the West Central School of Agriculture in Morris, MN.  Jeanne graduated cum laude with degrees in Education and Library Science from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD.

On June 15, 1951, Jeanne married Jimmie Lee Swartz in a garden ceremony at the home of her grandparents Ed and Esther Hahn in Rosholt.  After their marriage, Jeanne began her teaching career in White Rock #3, and taught some of the same students she had gone to school with, as they were in the lower grades when she was in the upper grades.  She taught kindergarten and served as a long-term substitute for several years in the Rosholt School system.  She was then employed as a librarian at NDSCS in Wahpeton for seven years, and then served as librarian for Native American children in Wahpeton at the Circle of Nations School for 35 years. Jeanne also held a number of other positions at the Circle of Nations School to include directing the Gifted and Talented Art Program, assisting students in their development and exhibitions of their artistic talents.  She treasured her years with the students at the Circle of Nations and was like a grandmother to many.

An active member of the community, Jeanne was a charter member of the Rosholt Historical Society and Museum and the Marigold Extension Club.  From 1986 to 1988, she was chairperson of the Rosholt Diamond Jubilee committee.  She was also involved in establishing a community library at Bethania and taught Sunday school and Bible school at Bethania.

Jeanne was an avid Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings fan.  A legacy brick in Jeanne's honor and memory was placed in the new Minnesota Vikings stadium as a gift from her grandchildren.

Survivors include three sons, Doug and Carol Swartz of Rosholt, Dan and Ann Swartz of Rosholt, and Todd "Stu" and Jude Swartz of Zimmerman, MN; grandchildren, Todd Swartz, Chad Sikkink, Stephanie (James) Roob, Krista (Russ) Sikkink-Spence, and Jasmine Swartz; and great-grandchildren, Tye Swartz, Joaquin Roob, Isabella Roob, Kaden Sikkink-Spence, and Kiana Sikkink-Spence.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmie Lee Swartz; parents, Frank and Luella Hahn; grandparents, Ed and Esther Hahn and Carl and Augusta Hansen; brother and sister-in-law, Ronnie and Dottie Hahn; and special pet, JJ.