Roberta Swanson
February 28, 1947 — October 30, 2015
Roberta Edna “Bobbie” Swanson, 68, a resident of Bettendorf, died Friday, October 30, 2015 at her home.
A memorial service celebrating Bobbie’s life will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pleasant Valley, Iowa. In lieu of flowers (Bobbie did not like them), memorials may be made to Hand-in Hand, Bettendorf, IA, the Greyhound Adoption Center in Maysville, IA, the Scott County Humane Society or Trinity Lutheran Church in Pleasant Valley. McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf is assisting with arrangements.
Bobbie was born on February 28, 1947 to Walter and Jessie Swanson. She received her BA from Augustana College and fluent in Spanish, she joined the Peace Corps after graduation and served in the Dominican Republic. When she returned home to Bettendorf, she began her high school teaching career in Clarinda, Iowa, subsequently teaching in Aledo, Illinois. Continuing her own education, she received her Masters’ Degree from St. Ambrose University and continued teaching at Bettendorf HS and ended her career retiring from Muscatine High School. She also taught evening classes at St. Ambrose University to students aspiring to be Special Education teachers.
Bobbie was an avid storyteller and shared her gift with Girl Scout troops and various other organizations, as well as giving talks on the Channel Cat.
Volunteering was an important part of Bobbie’s life and in addition to the many organizations too numerous to list, her favorites were Hand-in Hand in Bettendorf and The Greyhound Adoption Center in Maysville, Iowa. She was also active on several committees at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pleasant Valley, Iowa and was instrumental in starting the Prayer Shawl Ministry there.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved cat, Mishy, as well as her grandparents, aunts and uncles.
She is survived by various relatives, many friends and her much-loved cats, Spotsy, Miss Impatience and Arabella.
Condolences may be made by viewing Bobbie’s obituary at www.mcginnis-chambers.com.