Carol Swanson

Carol Swanson, age 94, of Laurel, Nebraska died on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at Hillcrest Care Center in Laurel.

Funeral services are 10:30 AM, on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at United Presbyterian Church in Laurel, NE with Reverend Charity Potter officiating. Burial will be in the Laurel Cemetery. Visitation is one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Laurel.

You may watch a livestream of the funeral at www.facebook.com/WintzRay/live 

Pallbearers are all of her grandchildren.

Carol was born November 9, 1929 in Laurel, Nebraska to Frank and Rose (Urwiler) Sutherland. She grew up on a farm north of Laurel and attended a one room country school. She graduated from Laurel High School in 1947. Carol worked for the Laurel Advocate and then was a bookkeeper at Security National Bank in Laurel. On September 5, 1948, she married Merlin “Mert” Swanson at the United Presbyterian Church in Laurel. After their marriage, they lived on Carol’s parents’ farm which was also north of Laurel. Carol continued working at Security National Bank until her children were born: Randy in 1951, David in 1953, and Julie in 1959. In 1961, they quit farming and moved to Laurel where they began their insurance and accounting business which they continued until 2000 when their son, Randy took over the business. 

Carol and Mert enjoyed going to their cabin in Minnesota when the children were younger and loved traveling in their motor home all across the country. Carol enjoyed reading and sewing. She was always busy helping those in need. She made pillowcases for children with cancer and hygiene bags for the homeless. Carol was an excellent cook and loved making cookies for her grandchildren. 

Carol is survived by two children: Randy (Deb) Swanson of Norfolk and Julie (Bill) Thorell of Cedar Falls, IA; daughter-in-law, Jeanette Swanson of Wayne; seven grandchildren: Jason Swanson, Justin Swanson, Kristine (Mark) Niemann, Jesse (Tricia) Swanson, Joshua (Martina) Swanson, Jacob (Mandi) Swanson, and Jennifer Lucas; 14 great grandchildren: Hannah, Maddie, Keena, Korrina, Lindsay, Kaylee, Hope, Keanna, Brenden, Skylar, Payton, Sam, Jacob, and Taylor; three great-great grandchildren, Keenan, Olivia and Natalie, and two nephews.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merlin Swanson on October 23, 2003; son, David Swanson; brother, Dean Sutherland, and sister, Vivian Miller.

To send an online message to the family, please visit www.wintzfuneralhome.com.