JoAnn Swenson (56) Passes Away

Photo from 1956 RHS Yearbook

JoAnn Swenson went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at White Oak Manor of Burlington with her daughter by her side.

JoAnn was born September 12, 1938 in Salina, Kansas to Walden and Pauline Swenson. Having spent her first few years living on the family farm she acquired her loving spirit for helping people and caring for animals.

After attaining several telephone companies the family eventually settled in Rossville, Kansas. It was here that JoAnn's gifts of singing, piano, and acting shone brightly as she participated in church, school, and community activities. After graduating Valedictorian from Rossville High, she attended Kansas University where she majored in Music Therapy and was a member of AOp sorority. One of her most memorable experiences was when she sang "Crimson and Blue" at the Campanile for KU 1957 Homecoming. While at college she met her husband, Jim Londerholm, who was an All American athlete in Track and Field for KU. Their daughter, Sherri, was born during their years in Kansas City.

JoAnn loved to bring joy and laughter to people. While living in Jacksonville, Florida she acted and sang in skits she wrote to benefit Toys For Tots while working for the Chamber of Commerce. She did the same in her career with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida and North Carolina. JoAnn was vital in organizing the Junior Olympics in Jacksonville during the 1980's as well. Clowning was also a favorite hobby. She especially loved performing at her grandson's school Fall Festival!

JoAnn loved to travel. She, her sisters, and mother took many trips together throughout the years. They traveled around the country visiting family and took numerous cruises to beautiful places.

JoAnn was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother and friend. She loved her family very much. Her beautiful smile and "can do" spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walden "Walt" Howard Swenson and Pauline (Fenton) Swenson; and brother in law, Dr. William "Bill" Vaught, Jr.

Surviving are her daughter, Sherri (Londerholm) Gibson and husband Tim of Simpsonville, SC; two grandchildren, Cameron Gibson of Indianapolis, Indiana and Christina Otto and husband Jesse of Easley, SC; two sisters, Diane Vaught of Burlington and Joyce Harper and husband Steve of Chapel Hill; several nieces and nephews including Lori Duncan and husband Jeff, Creighton Vaught and wife Libby, Jill Barham and husband Brandon, and Stephanie Carmody and husband Dennis; several great nieces and nephews; and many cousins.

A memorial service will be held at Rich & Thompson Funeral Home in Burlington on Sunday, October 8, 2017 at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends prior to the memorial service at Rich & Thompson Funeral Home from 1:00 until 1:45 PM.

Memorials may be made to , Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215-3220 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance – Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215.

Condolences may be offered at www.richandthompson.com.

Published in TheTimesNews.com on Oct. 1, 2017