Ruth Ingeborg (nee. Janson) Swanson, RN, 92, died June 20, 2008 at OSF after a brief illness. She was born March 17, 1916 in Chicago, IL, daughter of Hilde  Emil and Ulrika Amalia (Larson) Janson, who were Swedish immigrants living in Chicago.

Having taken her nurse’s training at Illinois Masonic Hospital, Chicago, Ruth joined the Army as a surgical nurse in WWII, serving as a 1st Lieutenant with the ANC in the European Theater from 1942 to 1946. A lifelong Lutheran, Ruth formally studied the Bible and graduated from Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago, in 1950.

After the war, Ruth was a charge nurse at South Shore Hospital in Chicago. Ruth later served as a private duty nurse, when it was that  she met the love of her life, George. Ruth married George P. Swanson on November 23, 1963. They lived on Hwy. 13, Rapid River, snow-birding to Florida many winters in their “Air-Stream”. Eventually, in 1986 they moved to a South 8th Street apartment in Escanaba. George preceded Ruth in death on Sept. 28, 1993. Ruth most recently lived at West Highland Apartments.

While living in the U.P., Ruth was a member of the Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid River and later became a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba. Ruth was also a faithful member of Bethany’s “Sewing Circle” and “Bible Study”. Ruth was an avid reader of the Bible and many other books. She was a most generous and loving person, living the Golden Rule every day of her life.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Viola Janson Johnson, and brothers, Gote Janson and Bror Janson.

Survivors include two nieces: Dr. Linnea Ruth Johnson, Topeka, KS, and Linda May Janson Ruyle, McAllen, TX, step-daughter Jean Brennan of Indian Head Park, IL and special friends Lois Zimmerman, Dan and Sue Salmon, and Jim and Lois Boydston, all of Escanaba. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Bethany Lutheran Church or the Escanaba Public Library.

Visitation will be at the Skradski-Boyce Funeral Home in Escanaba from 1-3 p.m. on Monday, June 30th with military rites being conducted at 3:00 p.m. by the Delta County Veterans Council. Christian services will follow military rites on June 30th, with Rev. Leonard Gilley officiating.  Luncheon will follow services at Bethany Lutheran Fellowship Hall. Burial will be beside George, in Gardens of Rest Cemetery, Wells on Tuesday, July 1st at 9:00 a.m.