Mary Swenson Obituary

Mary Case Swenson passed away on June 6, 2024 at Bickford Cottage in West Des Moines. Mary was born on May 28, 1936, Atchison County, MO, where she attended High Bank Country School and Rock Port Elementary School. She graduated from Tarkio (MO) High School in 1954 and from Tarkio College, Tarkio, Mo, in 1958, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

She earned her Master of Secondary Education Degree at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1965. Mary was an English and Speech teacher in Glenwood, IA; Tarkio, MO; and Denison, IA, before coming to West Des Moines in 1965, where she taught numerous literature and writing courses at Valley High School. She also served as language arts department chair for the West Des Moines Schools for several years and for Valley High School until her retirement in 1996. After retirement, she was a substitute teacher, tutor and co-founder of the Valley High School Retirees.

During her career, Mary was a member of local, state and national education associations. She was a charter member of Beta Epsilon Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma; a member of Phi Delta Kappa; National Organization for Women; Des Moines Area and Iowa State Retired School Personnel and Maple Grove United Methodist Church, Waukee. She was a published author of poetry and essays, who sometimes wrote under the pen name Marybeth Stanton.

Survivors include sister-in-law, Joyce Tweedt; brother-in-law, Jerry (Kay) Swenson; numerous nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; many cousins. She is preceded in death by her husband, Art Swenson, and nephew, Kevin Swenson.

Visitation will be 10 AM - 11 AM Monday, June 10, 2024, at Iles Westover Chapel followed by a 11 AM Celebration of Life Service with a private family burial at the Story City Municipal Cemetery.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded to view, and watch go to www.ilesCares.com

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to Maple Grove United Methodist Church, Waukee; Valley High School Dollars for Scholars; or to an area animal shelter.

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