Maxine Marie Swanson

Maxine M. Swanson, 78, of Cambridge, passed away peacefully with her family by her side Friday, August 12, 2022, at OSF Hospital, Peoria, IL after suffering a stroke. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Cambridge, IL. Reverend John Zilimu will celebrate. Cremation rites have been accorded. Inurnment will be held at a later date. The service will be livestreamed on Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory's Facebook page.  A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory - Geneseo Chapel. A Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Maxine M. Swanson Memorial Fund.

Maxine was born April 4, 1944, the daughter of Edward and Irene (Mariman) DeKezel. She graduated from Cambridge High School in 1962. She married Ronald J. Swanson at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Geneseo, IL on November 3, 1962. Maxine worked tirelessly alongside Ronnie on their farm in rural Cambridge for close to 40 years. She was an expert at running the combine during harvest season. After raising her children, Maxine returned to work and was employed at the Henry County Circuit Clerks Office for eighteen years. She was a 50+ year member of the St. John Vianney Catholic Church Cambridge and was active in the Alter and Rosary Society. She could be counted on for her service to others. She was a Farm Bureau Member, belonged to a couple's bowling league as well as a neighborhood card club for many years. Her favorite pastimes were “going for coffee” and “going for a drive” with Ronnie at the wheel. Maxine enjoyed attending her children’s and grandchildren’s activities and events over the years. Maxine’s greatest accomplishments were raising her two children, Rhonda and Rob and being a devoted wife to Ronnie.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Ronald of Cambridge, IL; children, Rob (Melissa) Swanson of Mesa, AZ, and Rhonda (Dave) Rusk of Cambridge, IL; grandchildren, Kyle, Ryan and Ryley Rusk and Caleb and Myah Swanson; brothers, David (Chris) DeKezel of Cambridge, Mark DeKezel of Geneseo; and sisters, Marilyn (Jack) Blair of Davenport, IA, and Debra (Merle) Muller of Sioux City, IA, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Irene DeKezel; special Aunt, Dorothy Netolicky and nephews, Darren DeKezel and Marvin Morey.