Madge Nelson Swinney, 97, of Chanute, passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at the Chanute Health Care Center.
Madge was born in Altoona, Kansas on September 16, 1915, the daughter of Charles and Sarah (McLaren) Carroll. She graduated from Altoona High School and attended Pittsburg State College, Pittsburg, KS, receiving a 3 year teaching certificate.
She was united in marriage to Clarence Nelson on February 6, 1936 in Vilas, KS. He preceded her in death on December 28, 1969. She was then united in marriage to William Floyd Swinney on November 12, 1976 in Fort Scott, KS. He preceded her in death on December 26, 1996.
Madge was a School Teacher in a one room school house for 5 years. Her family owned and operated the “99” filling station about 15 years. She was the Business Office Manager at St. Margaret’s Hospital, Fredonia, KS for 14 years, and worked at the Neosho Memorial Hospital in Chanute for several years.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Chanute, the Sunflower Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, Chanute, Vilas Homebuilders Unit and Friendship Sunday School Class at the First Baptist Church.
Madge is survived by a daughter, Marilyn Sue Farmer and her husband Jim of Altoona, KS; a son, Keith Richard Nelson and his wife Marilyn of Orland Park, IL; granddaughters, Kellee Farmer and her husband Jim Bangert of Islamabad, Pakistan, Karree Farmer of Boulder, CO; grandsons, Eric Farmer of Willoughby, OH, Derick Farmer and his wife Chelsea of Overland Park, KS, Jared Nelson of Homer Glen, IL, Kale Nelson and his wife Christina of Frankfort, IL, and Doug Nelson of Edmond, OK; a great-granddaughter, Emily Nelson of Edmond, OK; and a daughter-in-law, Marvel Nelson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Clarence Nelson and husband William Swinney; a daughter, Carroll Ann Nelson; a step-son, Glen A. Nelson; a grandson, Aaron Nelson Farmer; and eight brothers and sisters.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Chanute, KS.