BORN

1923

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home

5701 CENTER ST

Omaha, Nebraska

Elaine Swanson Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 9, 2017.

Swanson, Elaine E. Dec 27, 1923 - Jan 6, 2017 Elaine Swanson, a longtime Omaha resident, passed away on Thursday, January 6, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She had celebrated her 93rd birthday the week before. Born in Chicago, IL in 1923, she grew up on the city's South Side and graduated from Morgan Park High School in 1941. An employee of the Grand Trunk-Canadian Pacific railroad, she transferred to the railroad's Omaha office in 1945. She married Budington Swanson, a writer of Western Americana and historical fiction, in 1950. He preceded her in death in 1991. Together, they started the Copy Company, a direct-mail advertising and printing business that they ran out of their home in the Midtown neighborhood. She was an active collector and dealer in a wide array of collectibles, including coins, tokens, transportation items, Christmas plates, miniatures, Trans-Mississippi souvenirs, and postcards - to name a few. She remained active in Omaha's collecting community until the last 2 months of her life. She is survived by her son, Stevenson; daughter-in-law Ann Dumas-Swanson; and grandson Owen, all of Pelham, NY. VISITATION Tuesday 6-8pm at the Funeral Home. GRAVESIDE SERVICE Wednesday at 11am at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery, 2300 S. 78th Street. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the National Osteoporosis Foundation; Disabled American Veterans; or the charity of your choice.

CROSBY BURKET SWANSON GOLDEN
Colonial Chapel
11902 W. Center Rd
402-333-7200
www.crosby-burket.com

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5 Entries

January 11, 2017

JIm Rosowski

Remembrance of Elaine Swanson. It was at a Pershing Auditorium flea market in Lincoln, NE, about 25 years ago, when I first met two paper dealers, Bernice Fiedler and Elaine Swanson, who shared a booth on a regular basis. Bernice got me interested in trade cards, but it was Elaine who introduced me to postcards, particularly holiday postcards. I asked a lot of questions, and she was forthcoming with what to look for, and how prices were determined. I became a regular customer at those flea market shows, and it was easy to see why you sometimes had to wait in line to see her. She was so friendly and welcoming, always a smile on her face, and her customers became her good friends. She remembered previous conversations, and often would have something special to show you. One time it was Christmas cards with poinsettias, and I bought most of her collection. Of course, she had a very good eye for quality. I soon learned that you didn't want to be behind Elaine if she had taken a break from her booth to do some shopping. One time in particular I remember well. There was a new dealer at the show and I went over to check out the paper. But Elaine got there first. She was looking through an album of Lion Coffee die cuts and old valentines. Standing behind her, I watched her turn the pages. I could tell that it was a great collection even at a distance! Then I moved on pretending I wasn't really interested in what she was looking at. Elaine didn't say a word, she was focused, and she kept that album in her hands, turning the pages slowly. I kept thinking to myself, Oh, I hope she puts down that album and moves on! But, alas she didn't.

It wasn't until many years later, in 2003, that I became really hooked on postcards. At the time my wife was at the Clarkson Medical Center for 3 months, and after visiting her I would often go over to Elaine's home. She would bring out her albums, we would have a cup of tea, and I would go home with more treasures for my collections. Those were wonderful times, and I so looked forward to them, mostly for the conversation. She was smart and generous with her time and expertise. She was so informed--just a very interesting person. We would often talk politics, about our families, and whatever was in the news at the time.

At the paper show in March this year I stopped to talk with Elaine. As always, there was that twinkle in her eyes, and welcoming conversation. During that exchange I learned she had a passion I didn't know about. It was for miniatures. I knew nothing about them, but soon she was telling me how she got started, how to tell the old from the new, and which ones she felt were the best and why. She had many stories from decades of collecting these little masterpieces, and soon I was smitten. A half hour later I walked away with about 40 miniatures from her own collection, as she was downsizing. I also walked away feeling how very privileged I was to know this fine woman.

Jim Rosowski, Blue Heron Antiques, Seward.

January 11, 2017

Remembrance of Elaine Swanson. It was at a Pershing Auditorium flea market in Lincoln, NE, about 25 years ago, when I first met two paper dealers, Bernice Fiedler and Elaine Swanson, who shared a booth on a regular basis. Bernice got me interested in trade cards, but it was Elaine who introduced me to postcards, particularly holiday postcards. I asked a lot of questions, and she was forthcoming with what to look for, and how prices were determined. I became a regular customer at those flea market shows, and it was easy to see why you sometimes had to wait in line to see her. She was so friendly and welcoming, always a smile on her face, and her customers became her good friends. She remembered previous conversations, and often would have something special to show you. One time it was Christmas cards with poinsettias, and I bought most of her collection. Of course, she had a very good eye for quality. I soon learned that you didn't want to be behind Elaine if she had taken a break from her booth to do some shopping. One time in particular I remember well. There was a new dealer at the show and I went over to check out the paper. But Elaine got there first. She was looking through an album of Lion Coffee die cuts and old valentines. Standing behind her, I watched her turn the pages. I could tell that it was a great collection even at a distance! Then I moved on pretending I wasn't really interested in what she was looking at. Elaine didn't say a word, she was focused, and she kept that album in her hands, turning the pages slowly. I kept thinking to myself, Oh, I hope she puts down that album and moves on! But, alas she didn't.

It wasn't until many years later, in 2003, that I became really hooked on postcards. At the time my wife was at the Clarkson Medical Center for 3 months, and after visiting her I would often go over to Elaine's home. She would bring out her albums, we would have a cup of tea, and I would go home with more treasures for my collections. Those were wonderful times, and I so looked forward to them, mostly for the conversation. She was smart and generous with her time and expertise. She was so informed--just a very interesting person. We would often talk politics, about our families, and whatever was in the news at the time.

At the paper show in March this year I stopped to talk with Elaine. As always, there was that twinkle in her eyes, and welcoming conversation. During that exchange I learned she had a passion I didn't know about. It was for miniatures. I knew nothing about them, but soon she was telling me how she got started, how to tell the old from the new, and which ones she felt were the best and why. She had many stories from decades of collecting these little masterpieces, and soon I was smitten. A half hour later I walked away with about 40 miniatures from her own collection, as she was downsizing. I also walked away feeling how very privileged I was to know this fine woman.

Jim Rosowski, Blue Heron Antiques, Seward.

January 11, 2017

Jimmie Wittstruck

Omaha has lost a genuine great collector dealer. Elaine not only had a lot of knowledge but shared it with anyone who requested it. She made you feel very comfortable if you were dealing with her. Will miss her. Elaine THANKS for the rolls.

January 10, 2017

Allen Schrock

Sorry for your loss. I knew Elaine for many years. She will be greatly missed. Allen Schrock

January 9, 2017

May God's loving kindness and comfort help you and your family through this very sad time Psalms 29:11

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