Gloria G. Swanson

Gloria G. Swanson, lovingly known as “Gigi”, passed away peacefully in Dallas, Texas on August 7th, 2024 just three days after her 89th birthday. She was born to the late Alfred and Margaret (Hoewisch) Handschke in Maple Creek, Wisconsin on August 4th, 1935. She grew up in Hortonville, Wisconsin where she was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. She talked often of her upbringing on her family’s dairy farm alongside six siblings who all took part in helping with the daily chores. We enjoyed all the stories she told of her youth.

 After she graduated from Winnebago Lutheran High School in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, she attended Concordia Lutheran College in River Forest, Illinois. She graduated with a teaching degree in 1955 and shortly thereafter was called to teach in Raymondville, Texas. After moving to Raymondville, she met the love of her life and best friend, Wayne A. Swanson at a Walther League young adult church gathering. They were married at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hortonville, Wisconsin on July 6, 1957. The first few years of their marriage they lived in Santa Rosa, Texas and Huntsville, Alabama where Wayne was stationed in the army. During that period, they welcomed a son, Jeffrey Wayne and a daughter, Shawn Renee’. They eventually moved to Harlingen in 1974 where they both lived the remainder of their lives.

 Gloria spent her lifetime as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother (“Grandma Gigi”) and a faithful servant of God. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Harlingen where she participated in the Voter’s Assembly, Ladies Aid, Altar Guild and the LWML. Most of Gloria’s career as a teacher was spent at St. Paul Lutheran in Harlingen as both a kindergarten and a lower grade teacher before retiring in 1984. Shortly after retiring from teaching, she started a small day care at home which she enjoyed thoroughly. She closed her business in 2000, the same year her husband Wayne retired so that they could enjoy retirement together. The children she cared for brought her so much happiness. There honestly wasn’t a child or baby who crossed her path who didn’t make her smile. Children were always her passion. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her grandchildren whom she loved dearly. Her hobbies included bowling as well as playing women’s softball in a church league.

 Gloria and Wayne enjoyed 60 years of marriage together before he passed away on November 22, 2017. She is survived by her son, Jeffrey, her daughter Shawn (Craig) Jones, and four grandchildren Courtney, Spencer, Preston and Kendall Jones. She is also survived by one sister, Cordella Henderson, one brother Carlton (Ellen) Handschke, and sister-in-law’s Emma Jean Boyd and Patricia Smith in addition to numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Margaret Handschke, two brothers Werner and Erwin Handschke and two sisters Regina Hindersman and Charlotte Fenske.

 The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at Valley Baptist Hospital in Harlingen, Baylor Scott and White - The Heart Hospital in Plano, and Anchor of Hope Hospice in Plano for their care, love, encouragement and compassion.

 Visitation will be held at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home on Friday, August 16th, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A celebration of Gloria’s life will be held at. St. Paul Lutheran Church in Harlingen on Saturday, August 17th, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park at 12:00 p.m. 

 Pallbearers are Quentin Anderson, Dave Glienke, Spencer Jones, Preston Jones, Alan McGee and Michael Wiede. 

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Paul Lutheran in honor of Gloria.

God’s Word says in Luke 23:43, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” One of the last things you said to us was “I am ready to go when He is ready to call me home.” There is no greater peace than knowing that we will one day be with our Lord and Savior in eternity. We will always carry your memory in our hearts.