Bette Erca Swanson
June 25, 1929 – September 19, 2020
Age 91
Bette was a founding member of the Bellevue Little Theater, Omaha South High School Hall of Fame, Bellevue Person of the Year 1994, Sarpy County Worthy Women of Distinction, Jewel of Bellevue, received the TAG Lifetime Award in 2000, and was named Bellevue Volunteer of the Year 2002. She was a member of the Bellevue Women’s Club, Altrusa International of Bellevue and City of Bellevue Business Improvement District. She served as president of local PTA Councils and was active in her church.
Preceded in death by husband of 60 years Edward A. Swanson; parents James & Carrie Erca; sisters Blanche M. McGarrh, Virginia Bogatz-Pecha & Margaret Krause-Lundahl; brother Carl N. Erca; daughter-in-law Tammi Swanson.
Survived by children Christine “Chris” Swanson, Jan M. Gabrial (Steven), Ric Swanson, and Marty Swanson (Collen); grandchildren Brian Gabrial (Jenna), Kari Olbrey (Sam), Christopher Gabrial, Amanda Gard, Sean Swanson, Nic Swanson and Samantha Swanson; great-grandchildren Trixie, Irish & Millie Gabrial Gallagher, Alyssa, Sam & Tyler Olbrey, Collin & Maycee Caudill; many nieces, nephews and friends.
The family requests that masks be worn and social distancing be observed.
Visitation: Wednesday, September 23 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Bellevue Memorial Chapel.
Funeral Service: Thursday, September 24 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 2315 I St, Omaha.
Click the link below to view video of the service:
https://boxcast.tv/view/bette-swanson-427175
Interment: Bellevue Cemetery
Memorials: St. Luke’s Lutheran Church & Omaha South High Alumni Association.
10 Comments
Bette leaves behind a powerful legacy. A robust and powerful passion for living life to the very fullest
I believe she and Ed are once again joined together.
Blessings to her family.
The world has lost an amazing Woman. Bette touched so many lives with her great sense of humor, warm heart and outstanding devotion to her family and friends including me! I will cherish my memories of our friendship – miss you Bette!
Praying for all of her friends and family.
Aunt Betty was an amazing woman, what an amazing life! My sincere sympathy to all the family.
I worked for Bette in the Sportswear Dept at Phillip’s in south Omaha. We really had some fun times. She made the Bellevue Little Theater what it is today.
I have fond memories of spending time with the Swanson family at their home and attending church with them for many years. My mom, Dee Stokes, sang with Bette and Ed in the choir at St Luke’s Church for over 30 years. My heartfelt sympathy to you during this difficult time. May Our Lord bring you comfort and peace knowing she is with him.🙏
On my first day at the University of Nebraska as an out-of-state student from Ohio, Bette’s older daughter Chris (who happened to have the same last name) befriended me. When our dorm was shutting down for school breaks/holidays, Chris kindly invited me to come home with her. Always warm and welcoming, Bette and Ed included me and made me feel like one of their large family. They even took me with them on their overseas trip to visit with Jan and Steve in Turkey the summer of 1973. Always a role model to me, Bette was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
I was so sorry to hear of her passing. My best to her theatre family.
Please accept my sympathy. Prayers for all of you.
Bette and I were Altrusa sisters for over 35 years. I grew up in New York City from age of three. Bette visited New York as a buyer for Phillips Department Store. Bette and I both loved New York City and I understood that. I believe that she had a great personality and adapted easily to the NYC way! Bette and I would often talk about this and she loved to share jokes and her experiences on the trips with me. I loved Bette and her strong values of family, community and love of life. She meant a lot to me and i will miss her way of being in my life and in Altrusa. Rest in Peace dear Bette.
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