Ella D. Swanson

Ella D. Swanson culminated her spirited journey of nearly a century on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Vernon Hills, IL. She was born December 6th, 1928 in Sweden to Ernst & Astrid Edberg. Ella later moved to Stockholm in early adulthood where she met Evald Dalenheim, quickly falling in love and having two children, Rolf and Evelyn. Ella was never one to slow down, she served as a volunteer in the Women’s Army Corps driving Jeeps and tanks during the WWII era. With grace and congeniality, Ella left her footprint on the California social scene where she was a server and host bumping elbows with various interesting characters at “A Bit of Sweden” restaurant. After migrating to the Midwest, Ella, ever ambitious, settled in the Lake Forest area where she owned a salon with her second husband, Ricardo; Ella later renamed the business Camelia’s Beauty Care. After a robust business career, Ella, the world traveler, retired wintering in Mexico with her husband Richard Swanson and a gang of steadfast friends enjoying the sun filled days on the golf course and margarita filled nights by the pool under the moon. Ella finally nestled into an amazing community in Fair Oaks Ranch, TX where she thrived in her later years, swimming daily, reading the newspaper cover to cover, maintaining an amazing poolside garden, and immaculate home on tee box 2. Ella and Richard threw epic parties that were the talk of the community; it was an honor to be invited to any of Ella’s parties, especially the Swedish Smorgasbord. Ella was a scratch golfer, holding her own with the guys where she was a part of the weekly foursome hitting a hole in one. Among her achievements, Ella was a beloved “Mormor” to her grandchildren Ashley and Bradley who grew up with her inciteful knowledge of nearly every topic with the accuracy of an encyclopedia, the skill of golf acumen, and the thrill of museums and waterparks deep in the heart of Texas. Surviving her are 2 children, Rolf & Evelyn Dalenheim (Rick Goodman); 4 grandchildren, Ashley & Bradley Becker, Keith Malm & Emilia Gyork; cousins Bob & Elaine Zerwer, Larry Paulsen, Jennifer Zerwer (Steve Burns), Roland & Karin Classon and her tenacious deer chasing Yorkie, Missy. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Gabriella and her husband, Richard Swanson in 2005 A visitation will be held at 11:00 a.m. followed by a service a 1:00pm Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Burnette-Dane Funeral Home, 120 W. Park Ave. in Libertyville. Memorial donations to Suncrest Hospice, www.suncrestcare.com, will be graciously appreciated in lieu of flowers.

Ella D. Swanson

December 6, 1928 - April 22, 2025