Lenora Evelyn Swanner, 93, of Burlington, died Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at New London Specialty Care in New London, Iowa.
Born March 21, 1930, at home in Neoga, Ill., she was the daughter of Grant and Jennie Overmyer. She grew up in a one-room school her dad had attended as a boy. Lenora graduated from Neoga Township High School in 1947. After graduation, she worked as a telephone operator for nine years. She married Charles Joseph Swanner on Feb. 25, 1950, in West Frankfort, Illl. He preceded her in death on March 23, 1995.
Lenora was a master gardener and was in home health care. She was a member of Divine Mercy Parish.
She was the 2006 T.O.P.S. Iowa State Queen and was very proud of her accomplishment. She was a member of the Red Hatters and along with her husband was a member of GWWRA. Lenora instructed and attended area water exercise classes well into her 80’s and volunteered for local food pantries. She was an excellent seamstress and quilter and was a self-taught guitar player.
She is survived by her six children; Len Swanner Brooks, Chuck (Terri) Swanner, Kat Kerr-Davis, Steve (Margie) Swanner, Sandi (Blake) Dehm and Chris (Rochelle) Swanner; 17 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; three sisters, Judy Wilkey, Lois Cline and Betty Cowger; one brother Paul (Sandra) Overmyer; sister-in-law Ruth Overmeyer and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four brothers, Henry Harrison Overmyer, George Metzger, Amos Overmyer and Maxey Raymond Overmyer and one sister Hazel Warner.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Lenora will be 12 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at SS. Mary & Patrick Church of Divine Mercy Parish in West Burlington. The Rev. Father Dominic Nguyen will be the celebrant. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 9 at SS Mary & Patrick Catholic Church, where the family will receive friends.
A memorial has been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society.