1923
Grace
2023
Grace Swain
October 6, 1923 — December 6, 2023
Grace Swain of Rockton, Illinois passed away on December 6, 2023, after a sudden illness. She was 100 years young. She was born on October 6, 1923, to Ivar and Alice (Magnuson) Gustafson in Stanley, Wisconsin. She was the youngest of five. She always told us the story of her birth. When the time came her father had to hitch up the horses to the wagon and go into town to get the doctor. When they arrived back home the doctor was drunk and could hardly stand. Her mother wouldn’t let him near her. Mother Nature did her thing and Grace was born. Thank God!! Grace grew up on a farm so hard work was instilled into her from the start. She and her siblings were the farm hands her father wouldn’t hire. Chopping thistles in the pastures in their bare feet. Hauling milk to the depot every day on the way to school, then picking up the horse and cart on the way home. Tough.
She only had a 10 th grade education, but her brothers would always say she was a smarty. She left home to work in Ladysmith, Wisconsin at a bedding company that made bed rolls for the soldiers. In Ladysmith she met her future husband, Orville Swain. They were married on April 22, 1944, in the home of Orville’s cousin who live in Shirland, Illinois. While he was in the service, she continued to work making bed rolls. When the war was over, they moved to Shirland to be with family members. Later moving to east of Roscoe near the county line. Grace worked 21 years for the Harlem School District. Harlem South Campus, Maple Grade School, and the business office. Retiring in 1987. She was not a sit-at-home person and she had several jobs. She drove bus for Kinnikinnick Grade School in Roscoe, Daily Wash and Cleaners off Elevator Road, and then the newly built McDonald’s. She belonged to the Rockton American Legion, 40 th Eight Ass., and she was the first Women’s Auxiliary president of the Roscoe VFW which her husband and a group of Veterans started in the backroom of the Village Hardware which they owned. Orville was also the first Commander.
Her hobbies included baking, knitting, crocheting, playing cards, and fishing. She baked at Christmas time for all her friends and her doctor, pharmacist, and mailman. The VFW would call her to make cares for funerals and other events. She made blankets, sweaters, mittens, stocking caps, and baby clothing. Most of all she enjoyed her times spent visiting family in Wisconsin. The cabin at the lake, catching fish and just enjoying everyone’s company. She drove until the age of 95 and mowed her own grass. She could work. She will be truly missed.
She is survived by her three children Pat (Terry) Winchester of Machesney Park, IL, Steve (Ruth) of Carbondale, IL, and Larry (Nancy) of Rosoce, IL; 6 grandchildren Travis Kelsey of Janesville, WI, Brenda (Todd) Freeman of Carbondale, IL, Shane (Jen) Winchester of Lake Worth, FL, Amy (Brian) Estvander of Roscoe, IL, Krista (Andy) Wenger of LaFarge, WI, and Jason Underhill of Portage, OH; 10 great-grandchildren who called her GG, Harrison Freeman, Allison Winchester, Brayden Swain, Harmonee Wenger, Anna Estvander, Aiden Underhill, Zephan Swain, Shawn Winchester, Elenore Freeman, and Joey Estvander. She is predeceased by her husband Orville; daughter Susan Underhill, and son-in-law Harry; grandson Brian Swain; all her siblings Carl and Perry Gustafson, Pauline Popple, and Helen Nimtz; many nieces or nephews that she loved.
Cremation rites have been accorded by Stateline Cremations, 6204 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park, IL. There will be a memorial at a later date. www.statelinecrematons.com
She only had a 10 th grade education, but her brothers would always say she was a smarty. She left home to work in Ladysmith, Wisconsin at a bedding company that made bed rolls for the soldiers. In Ladysmith she met her future husband, Orville Swain. They were married on April 22, 1944, in the home of Orville’s cousin who live in Shirland, Illinois. While he was in the service, she continued to work making bed rolls. When the war was over, they moved to Shirland to be with family members. Later moving to east of Roscoe near the county line. Grace worked 21 years for the Harlem School District. Harlem South Campus, Maple Grade School, and the business office. Retiring in 1987. She was not a sit-at-home person and she had several jobs. She drove bus for Kinnikinnick Grade School in Roscoe, Daily Wash and Cleaners off Elevator Road, and then the newly built McDonald’s. She belonged to the Rockton American Legion, 40 th Eight Ass., and she was the first Women’s Auxiliary president of the Roscoe VFW which her husband and a group of Veterans started in the backroom of the Village Hardware which they owned. Orville was also the first Commander.
Her hobbies included baking, knitting, crocheting, playing cards, and fishing. She baked at Christmas time for all her friends and her doctor, pharmacist, and mailman. The VFW would call her to make cares for funerals and other events. She made blankets, sweaters, mittens, stocking caps, and baby clothing. Most of all she enjoyed her times spent visiting family in Wisconsin. The cabin at the lake, catching fish and just enjoying everyone’s company. She drove until the age of 95 and mowed her own grass. She could work. She will be truly missed.
She is survived by her three children Pat (Terry) Winchester of Machesney Park, IL, Steve (Ruth) of Carbondale, IL, and Larry (Nancy) of Rosoce, IL; 6 grandchildren Travis Kelsey of Janesville, WI, Brenda (Todd) Freeman of Carbondale, IL, Shane (Jen) Winchester of Lake Worth, FL, Amy (Brian) Estvander of Roscoe, IL, Krista (Andy) Wenger of LaFarge, WI, and Jason Underhill of Portage, OH; 10 great-grandchildren who called her GG, Harrison Freeman, Allison Winchester, Brayden Swain, Harmonee Wenger, Anna Estvander, Aiden Underhill, Zephan Swain, Shawn Winchester, Elenore Freeman, and Joey Estvander. She is predeceased by her husband Orville; daughter Susan Underhill, and son-in-law Harry; grandson Brian Swain; all her siblings Carl and Perry Gustafson, Pauline Popple, and Helen Nimtz; many nieces or nephews that she loved.
Cremation rites have been accorded by Stateline Cremations, 6204 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park, IL. There will be a memorial at a later date. www.statelinecrematons.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Grace Swain, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors