Charlann Skaar Schwan

Charlann (nee Skaar) Schwan died unexpectedly July 24, in Moscow Russia; she was 70 years old. Born in Chicago to Elling and Jula Skaar, Char grew up in Chicago, graduated from Taft High School and attended Northern Illinois University. She began her career as a stewardess for United Airlines, where she was able to travel the country and while living in San Francisco met her husband of nearly 50 years, Joe Schwan. Char spent most of her life in what she described as the "most rewarding profession ever"- being a mother. She also took great pride in serving her community of Lincolnshire, where she was a Cub Scout den mother, served on the Spring Lake Sports League, Cambridge Forest Association (CFA), Park Board and was a longtime member and former President of the Lincolnshire Garden Club. Char's community service was recognized in 1983 when Lincolnshire named her Citizen of the Year. Char also, served five years an elected Trustee on Lincolnshire's Village Board (1987-1992). Most recently she was elected to the Woods of Ivanhoe Homeowner's Board. Char was also a woman of deep faith and enriched her extended family at Community Christian Church where she was an active member of the congregation for nearly 40 years and served the church in many different capacities including Sunday School teacher, various Board positions, Stephen Minister, regular volunteer at the soup kitchen, and helped run the church's most profitable fundraiser, the annual garage sale. In recent years, Char experienced great joy by traveling with Joe to over thirty countries and continuing to share her wisdom and laughter with family and friends across the miles. In addition, she and Joe were strong supporters of Culver-Stockton College where in 2012 they dedicated the Joseph and Charlann Schwan Center for Business and Technology. She was an inspiration to all that had a chance to meet and know her- she will be missed by the many that she loved. Char is survived by her husband Joseph, brother Anders Skaar (Kathleen) of Raleigh, NC, cousin Bjarne Trefall (Ingrid), daughter Juliann Larimer (Thomas) of Lake Forest, IL, sons John Eric (Kimberly) of Palo Alto, CA and JV (Julie) Schwan of McLean, VA; and her most treasured grandchildren: Sydney Schwan, Emelia Larimer, Sarah Larimer, Alexandria Schwan, Andrew Schwan, Victor Larimer and Addison Schwan. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, 2013 at the Burnett-Dane Funeral Home Ltd., 120 W. Park Ave. (Route 176, one block west of Milwaukee Ave.), Libertyville. Services will be held at 10:00 Saturday August 3rd at Community Christian Church, 1970 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire, IL 60069. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Memorial Woods Fund at Community Christian Church. For information, 847-362-3009 or sign the guest book at www.burnettdane.com.

Charlann Skaar Schwan

August 19, 1942 - July 24, 2013