Bernadean Swanke

Bernadean Swanke of Wheaton passed away early Friday morning at the Wheaton Community Hospital. She was 90 years old. Funeral Services for Bernadean Swanke will be held Monday, Nov. 10th 2008 at 11:00 AM at the Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton. Fr. Joe Vandeberg will officiate. There will be Visitation Sunday evening from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Ranney Funeral Home in Wheaton, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Interment will be at Wildwood Cemetery in Wheaton, next to her husband, John Swanke. Bernadean was born December 26, 1917 in Wheaton, Minnesota to Philip and Catherine Hunder Deal. She graduated from Wheaton High School in 1936. Following graduation, she worked as a secretary in Wheaton for the Tara Mutual Insurance Company and the ASC office at the courthouse. On April 8, 1940, Bernadean married John A. Swanke at the Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton. They farmed together in Clifton and Walls Townships until their retirement, when they moved into Wheaton. Their daughter Susan was born in 1948 and Berneta in 1953. She was devoted to her family and her home. Bernadean was very involved in her church, where she was a charter member of Ave Maria Church Council. She taught religious education for 13 years and was active in the Ladies Guild. She was a proud member of the Daughters of Isabella. Bernadean held office positions and was given the outstanding Achievement Award. Bernadean Swanke is survived by 2 daughters: Susan and Jim Morisette of Nelson, Minnesota and Berneta and Curt Lundquist of Bemidji, Minnesota. 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren: Bill (Jan) Morisette and their children Jennifer and Angela of Sartell, Minnesota, Virginia (Jim) Deadrick and their children Dustin and Jade of St. Cloud, Minnesota, Tom Morisette of Nelson, Minnesota, Danielle (Dan) Halvorson and their children Morgan and Jacob of Roseau, Minnesota, Sam (Jodi) Lundquist and their children Lauren and Jack of Bemidji, Minnesota, 1 Brother: Jerry and Frances Deal of Wheaton, 1 sister: Phyllis and Ed Wieser of Herman. Many nieces and nephews. Bernadean was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John Swanke in 1998, and sisters: Alvera Dawes and Margaret Erickson.