LaWanna Fern Swanson

LaWanna Fern (Doty) Swanson of Camano Island, Washington, passed away peacefully at home with family by her side on April 7th at age 92.

She was born in Bone Gap, Illinois to Elsie and Arthur Doty. She was a direct descendant of Edward Doty who arrived in America on the Mayflower. In the mid-1930’s, Arthur and Elsie moved their family to Yakima, Washington. She was active in 4-H, graduated from Yakima High School in 1951 and then attended Washington State University. Later, she moved to Seattle to pursue a career as a florist and met the love of her life, James O. (Jim) Swanson. They married March 15th, 1955 in Amarillo, Texas, after Jim’s graduation from the US Air Force Officer Candidate School and Cadet Flight Training. Thus began her life as the wife of a fighter pilot and the many changes of address that go along with military life. Over the next few years Fern and Jim brought 4 sons into the world and started a life of travel and adventure at their various duty stations that included Germany, Arizona, California, Mississippi, Florida and Alaska. She would often say the years in Alaska and 2nd tour to Germany were her favorites.

Fern embraced the joy of travel and adventure with her family with cross country and Alaska wilderness camping trips, fishing and skiing. She was always involved with various activities and clubs including bowling leagues, USAF wives clubs and support organizations for her son’s schools. During their last tour in Germany 1974-1977, they had a wonderful opportunity to explore Europe with family. On Jim’s retirement in 1980 they returned to Camano Island where she resided until her passing.

After retirement, they settled in to permanent residence at the home they’d purchased in 1973, and became active in the community, reconnecting with relatives and making new friends. The following years kept her and Jim busy with various home remodel and expansion projects, motor home excursions, ocean cruises, fishing trips with family and friends to Lake Conconully and Curlew Lake, clam digging at Ocean Shores and enjoying her growing family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In the 1990’s she joined the local chapter of the Egg Artist Guild of Washington and unleashed her creativity designing and building elaborate and award-winning pieces of egg art. She enjoyed representing her club at their exhibitions over the years at the Evergreen State Fair. She was a lifelong sports fan and loved to follow her Seattle Mariners, Seahawks and Washington State Cougars.

Fern was preceded in death by her husband Lt. Col. (ret) James O. Swanson, parents Arthur and Elsie Doty, brothers Virgil and Everett. She is survived by sons James E. Swanson and his wife Deborah of Honolulu, Hawaii., John K. Swanson and his wife Kathy of Camano Island, CMSGT USAF (ret) Jeffery A. Swanson and his wife Dyena of Pocatello, Idaho, and Jerry M. Swanson of Camano Island, niece Linda Matthews, nephews Robin, Mike and Doug Doty, all of Yakima, plus 5 grandchildren - Justin Swanson, Julianne Swanson, Jessica Swanson, Jeffery Swanson and Rocky Swanson, and 9 great grandchildren.

Her legacy and memory will live on in these generations. She was our beloved mom, grandmother and aunt.

We invite her friends to join family at a Graveside Service, 1pm Friday, April 17th at Camano Lutheran Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life reception starting at 2pm at the family home at 739 Ell Road, Camano Island.

In lieu of flowers, and in remembrance of her love of animals, we ask you to donate to the Camano Animal Shelter Association (CASA) -camanoanimalshelter.com – or animal rescue organization of your choice.