Barbara Mary Swanson
June 29, 1939 ~ July 21, 2020
Barbara Mary Swanson, 81, of Jefferson City, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at Lenoir Woods in Columbia, Missouri.
She was born June 29, 1939, in Park, Kansas, the daughter of the late John C. and Agnes Frances (Kuhn) Stegman. She was the youngest of their seven children, and she was known in the family as “Babe.”
She was united in marriage on May 28, 1960, in Goodland, Kansas, to John Robert Swanson who preceded her in death on February 11, 2005. Together they traveled extensively throughout Europe and lived in Beruit, Lebanon for six months.
Barbara grew up in Goodland, Kansas, and graduated from Goodland High School. She worked as a teacher, principal and school administrator. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Marymount College near Salina, Kansas, and she began teaching at Baldwin Elementary School in Baldwin City, Kansas. She later worked at Sacred Heart Parish in Columbia, before taking a teaching position at Immaculate Conception School in Jefferson City.
Barbara spent remainder of her career working for the Diocese of Jefferson City, where she began as a fourth grade teacher at Immaculate Conception School. She always said fourth grade was her favorite grade.
She received her Master’s degree from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, and she advanced in her career to become principal at Immaculate Conception, eventually advancing to become associate superintendent of schools for the Jefferson City Diocese and briefly serving as interim superintendent.
She was very proud of her work in the Catholic schools, which included helping one area parish open a brand new school. She was committed to education, and she continued to work after her retirement as a volunteer tutor for local children. She was extremely active with Immaculate Conception Catholic Church community throughout her years in Jefferson City. She volunteered in many different roles and on a great number of projects within the parish throughout her life.
She also worked in retirement as a docent at the Governor’s Mansion, giving tours to school groups and enjoying learning more herself about the history of the building and the state. She also volunteered her time as an ombudsman through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. She met with residents at nursing homes in Jefferson City, assisting them in improving their care.
Barbara also loved to travel, both before and after her retirement. During her lifetime, she set foot on five of the seven continents, including visits to China, Russia, India, Egypt and Argentina.
Barbara was a proud mother and grandmother, who helped introduce a love of books and reading to her children and grandchildren, who will probably always remember their Grammy best for the time she spent reading to them. She was always reading a new book and enjoyed being a part of different book clubs throughout her life. She treasured her friends, and she was always looking for ways she could help and contribute.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Neil Swanson and Nikole Baron, Overland Park; her daughter and son-in-law, Sonya and Bill Carney, Columbia; five grandchildren, John Cole Galbraith, Lily MaryAnn Swanson, John Jack Truman Swanson, Abigail Rose Swanson, and Chloe Rue Swanson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her siblings, Viola, Albert, Dorothy, Richard, Herbert, and Caroline.
Visitation will be 9:30-11 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
The general public is welcome to attend the services while following social distancing guidelines. Facial coverings are required while in attendance.
Burial will be in the Goodland Cemetery in Goodland, Kansas, at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and to the Missouri River Regional Library, where Barbara was a frequent patron.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
She was born June 29, 1939, in Park, Kansas, the daughter of the late John C. and Agnes Frances (Kuhn) Stegman. She was the youngest of their seven children, and she was known in the family as “Babe.”
She was united in marriage on May 28, 1960, in Goodland, Kansas, to John Robert Swanson who preceded her in death on February 11, 2005. Together they traveled extensively throughout Europe and lived in Beruit, Lebanon for six months.
Barbara grew up in Goodland, Kansas, and graduated from Goodland High School. She worked as a teacher, principal and school administrator. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Marymount College near Salina, Kansas, and she began teaching at Baldwin Elementary School in Baldwin City, Kansas. She later worked at Sacred Heart Parish in Columbia, before taking a teaching position at Immaculate Conception School in Jefferson City.
Barbara spent remainder of her career working for the Diocese of Jefferson City, where she began as a fourth grade teacher at Immaculate Conception School. She always said fourth grade was her favorite grade.
She received her Master’s degree from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, and she advanced in her career to become principal at Immaculate Conception, eventually advancing to become associate superintendent of schools for the Jefferson City Diocese and briefly serving as interim superintendent.
She was very proud of her work in the Catholic schools, which included helping one area parish open a brand new school. She was committed to education, and she continued to work after her retirement as a volunteer tutor for local children. She was extremely active with Immaculate Conception Catholic Church community throughout her years in Jefferson City. She volunteered in many different roles and on a great number of projects within the parish throughout her life.
She also worked in retirement as a docent at the Governor’s Mansion, giving tours to school groups and enjoying learning more herself about the history of the building and the state. She also volunteered her time as an ombudsman through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. She met with residents at nursing homes in Jefferson City, assisting them in improving their care.
Barbara also loved to travel, both before and after her retirement. During her lifetime, she set foot on five of the seven continents, including visits to China, Russia, India, Egypt and Argentina.
Barbara was a proud mother and grandmother, who helped introduce a love of books and reading to her children and grandchildren, who will probably always remember their Grammy best for the time she spent reading to them. She was always reading a new book and enjoyed being a part of different book clubs throughout her life. She treasured her friends, and she was always looking for ways she could help and contribute.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Neil Swanson and Nikole Baron, Overland Park; her daughter and son-in-law, Sonya and Bill Carney, Columbia; five grandchildren, John Cole Galbraith, Lily MaryAnn Swanson, John Jack Truman Swanson, Abigail Rose Swanson, and Chloe Rue Swanson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her siblings, Viola, Albert, Dorothy, Richard, Herbert, and Caroline.
Visitation will be 9:30-11 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
The general public is welcome to attend the services while following social distancing guidelines. Facial coverings are required while in attendance.
Burial will be in the Goodland Cemetery in Goodland, Kansas, at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and to the Missouri River Regional Library, where Barbara was a frequent patron.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
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Such a wonderfully sweet lady who lifted me by her smile and kind words. Linda Sommers
Such a lovely woman with always a smile and kind word. We always enjoyed hearing her lector at mass and participating with her in church events. Terry and Susan McAdams
Barbara was a good friend and a great traveling companion. She loved God and served him and his Church long and faithfully. She also served as President of Learning in Retirement helping it grow and develop. She Is missed.
Barbara was the true epitome of how God intended for his children to live and treat one another. Such grace, humility, and sincere compassion was experience by all who had blessing to know and be touched by her. “A job well done good and faithful servant “. Rest well my dear friend. Gracie Fields
Barb was always very professional and friendly to work with while she was in the diocesan school office. Thoughts and prayers for her and all her family. God bless you, Fr. Chris Cordes Our Lady Of Lourdes, Columbia
Barbara was a guiding star for children, parents and teachers in the Diocese. It was an honor to know Barbara.
My Aunt Barbara, or Babe as she was known by her family, was the most sweetest, loving person. She was the youngest sibling to my dad. I have so many wonderful memories of spending time with her at all the Stegman family reunions. But one of my favorite special times with her was when she came to Oregon where my husband, me and my dad had moved. My dad was in an assisted living facility suffering with dementia. Aunt Barb came to help us celebrate my dad’s 90th birthday. It was so wonderful spending the time with her then and seeing my dad light up to see his sister. I will definitely miss her, but look forward to the day I will see her again in heaven along with my sweet husband, my mom and dad, my brother, and all of my family members who have gone on before me to be with the Lord. Nancy Hoiberg
Rest peacefully. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Any room would light up when Barb entered with a smile. Every teacher felt supported and empowered when Associate Superintendent Barb visited a classroom. She made my job as Superintendent of Schools an absolutely positive experience. If I needed to find one word to describe Barb, it would be “positive.” S. Carleen Reck, SSND
Hello Neal & Sonya- Your mother was a wonderful teacher and excellent Principal for our children who attended I.C. School. She inspired so many young people & will be fondly remembered by all who know her. Janet & Jim Gallaher
With deepest sympathy,
Outstanding educator (talented teacher, insightful local and diocesan administrator), parish leader, community volunteer — Barbara was all these and more. I fondly knew her, too, as a good friend. From the time Barbara and I first met as newly-hired fourth grade teachers at Immaculate Conception School in 1979, we formed a friendship that flourished for forty years. Having no family nearby, we celebrated holidays together. A gracious hostess, Barbara set a beautiful table, served a delicious meal, and made stimulating conversation, spiced with her delightful sense of humor. After a move separated us, distance did not diminish our friendship, serving instead to emphasize the rarity of it. Long phone calls, e-mails, and occasional cross-country visits ensued. Barbara gave thoughtful gifts, wonderfully appropriate for the recipient, whether chosen in local shops or in exotic foreign marketplaces. The best gift was her friendship. Always beautifully dressed, Barbara was a lovely person inside and out. She enjoyed life. It is with a heavy heart that I say good-bye. I shall miss her dearly. She made me a better person and the world a better place. “She is clothed in strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 Peace, Judy Kyper
Beautiful tribute to Barbara! She was such a wonderful person.
To Sonya & Neil & their families, May God surround you with His loving arms of comfort & peace.
As a baby pastor 32 years ago at St. Thomas the Apostle in St. Thomas, MO Barb was assigned as part time principal during my first year in the parish. We needed a good start to make the reopening of the school after decades of being closed as a parish school viable. Looking back I can’t think of anyone who could have done a better job. She put St. Thomas Catholic on the map and it is still going strong for more than three decades. Nothing but the best of memories.
Barb paved the way for a fulltime principal/teacher position at St. Thomas making it easy for one to follow in her footsteps after the school’s reopening. She will always be remembered for her friendly, helpful, and professional presence. Kathleen Donovan, SSND