CONNIE SWANSON

Connie Swanson passed away peacefully on September 8, 2024.

She was born one of eight children to the late Jim and Louella (Frederick) Laux. Connie's first dream as a child was to graduate early from high school and get a full-time job. She achieved this goal, among all others she set in life, and embarked on a 40 year career in accounting. Connie met her husband Randy in 1976. They married in 1982 and had two daughters. Before having children they bought a house and began renovating it top to bottom. They spent decades crafting and decorating their house with their combined love of all things old and new. Shopping for antiques was one of their favorite activities.

Connie loved being active and enjoyed golf, tennis, skiing cross country and downhill, and biking. She competed in the American Berkiebeiner and also completed in a 100 mile bike race finishing third in the women's group.

As she raised her family, Connie loved going to the Swanson cottage in Crivitz. Some of the favorite pastimes there were yahtzee and boating on Caldron Falls Flowage.

Connie also enjoyed camping with her parents, and siblings' families in Land'O Lakes where she enjoyed campfires, badminton and croquet competitions. Connie and her family enjoyed boating on Lac Vieux Desert. She spent many summers perch fishing there with Randy in charge of baiting all of her fishing hooks.

Connie also enjoyed sewing and reupholstering furniture. Her love for landscaping and gardening emerged as her primary passion. Her yard is a sight to behold especially in Spring and mid summer. She will always say her groundskeeper Randy mows the lawn too much. She also tended a produce garden for decades that came in handy for her cooking and baking.

In her retirement, Connie spent much of her time with her husband doing more home improvements on hers and her children's homes, traveling, reading, and spending a lot of time with her grand-dog and grandson. She was the best Mimi and spoiled them both!

She traveled to Arizona, Texas, and enjoyed biking travels in Europe with her husband, his brother Steve and wife Mary, and friends Paul and Katy. Italy was Connie's favorite destination and she never turned down a slice of tiramisu.

Connie is survived by her husband Randy and her children Carly (Brian) Soltesz, Abby (Russ) Swanson, and her grandson Trevor.
She is also survived by her siblings: Christine (Dennis) Boldt, Kevin (Lois) Laux, Cindy Bodway, Kathy (John) Schuh, Karla (Joel) Seidler, Colleen (John) Altman, Ken (Bernice) Laux. She is also survived by Randy's family: Steve (Mary) Swanson and Charlene (Tom) Landskron. Connie is survived by many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Randy's parents Richard and Audrey Swanson, sister in-law Mary Swanson and nephew Joey Witchell.

We would like to extend many thanks to all of the caregivers and medical teams that helped Connie.

A special thank you to Dr. Antoni Ruggeri: Connie admired you for your remarkable and personalized compassion and for your ability to inspire hope with a few good laughs along the way.

Until we meet again, Ciao Bella. Ti vogliamo bene!