Fedora A. Swanson

Fedora A. Swanson, 90, died Oct. 19, 2012 in Wasilla.

She will be traveling back to the Midwest for further and final arrangements and to be laid to rest beside her husband.

Fedora “Jo” was born in Highwood, Ill., on Aug. 26, 1922, to Adolph and Angelina Candeli. Jo was a former inspector in a tool manufacturing plant during World War II in the Midwest. She lived most of her younger years in Italy with her grandmother and sister. She talked endlessly of the happy memories she had there.

She returned to America with her sister when she was 15, where she rejoined her family in Chicago and eventually relocated to Highwood with them. She was an avid gardener and was a whiz with African violets. She was involved in the Prosperity Club and the Coure Arte Clubs at St. James Catholic Church and an active member of the Bocci Ball Club in Highwood until her move to Alaska in 2009.

She was strong willed, quick minded and a wonderful cook.

Surviving are her son, Dennis and wife Kari Swanson of Beaufort, S.C.; son, Jim and wife Mikki Swanson of Wasilla; son, Tim Swanson of Highland Park, Ill.; grandchildren, Colin Swanson, Keely (Swanson) Carr, Molly Swanson, Alexandria Swanson, Abigail Swanson, Aaron Swanson, Scott Venzon and Melissa Venzon; great-grandchildren, Riley Swanson, Savannah Swanson, Kaeden Carr, Dilynn Carr, Tony Venzon and Casey Venzon; several nieces and nephews; and special friend, Amy Thomas and her family of Wasilla.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Byril Swanson; brother, Carlo Candeli; and sister, Maria West.

Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory. An obituary and guestbook are online at alaskanfuneral.com.