Obituaries

Carol Ann Swanson Glemza, 97, of St. Charles, Illinois, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2021.

The daughter of Algert Sigfrid Swanson and Ruth Caroline Bergsten Swanson was born on August 12, 1924 in Geneva, Illinois. Carol married her husband, Ernest Glemza, on September 6, 1958, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles, IL. Carol was very proud of and adored her daughter, Jayne Glemza Beck, her granddaughter Katelyn Beck and her step-granddaughter Jennifer Beck Freemen and her husband Jason Freemen.

Carol worked for the St. Charles Park District for more than 69 years from 1942 until 2011 at the age of 87. She continued as a volunteer for the Park District until the age of 95 when her health prevented further work. She met her beloved husband Ernie at Pottawatomie Pool where she was working. He was the Pottawatomie golf pro at the time. Carol watched the pro shop for him while he played in a local golf tournament. He was so grateful that he repaid her with a date and their wedding followed some years later. Carol is remembered by many locals from her days working behind the ticket desk at Pottawatomie Pool. Carol served the Baker Community House Board and the St. Charles Park District Foundation Board for many decades. The pool at Pottawatomie Park was renamed Swanson Pool in recognition of Carol and her father Algert’s service to the park district. Algert served on the park board and was instrumental in getting WPA (Works Progress Administration) depression funds for development of the park.

Carol was a very active member of Chapter KB of the International P.E.O. Sisterhood for 54 years. She rarely missed a meeting and served as an officer including President and Treasurer and on many committees. She was also on the board of the St. Charles History Museum for 20 years. She was a member of Baker Memorial United Methodist Church where she served on the Alter Guild for many years and was a member of Ruth Circle for decades. She was a charter member of the St. Charles Women’s Club and attended meetings faithfully for many years. She was an officer for both St. Charles Swim Team and Elgin YMCA Swim Team in the 1970s. She graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign Urbana in 1947 with a degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences and Spanish. At U of I, she was on Mortar Board, Torch, Alpha Lamda Delta, Spanish Club, Sigma Delta Pi, Women’s Group System Executive Council, Phi Beta Kappa, Honors Day and University of Illinois Scholarship Key. In her younger years, she led a Girl Scout Troop with her aunt, Elsie Bergsten. In her later years, she was an avid sports fan following her Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers and attending many games in person including a Cubs playoff win. She completed the Green Bay Packer 5K in July of 2021 in her wheelchair. She was proud to tell people she got first place in her age group (85-99) by holding up her finger to indicate number 1. Carol was a kind and soft-spoken friend, always ready to lend an ear. She enjoyed life so much and rarely missed a chance for an adventure. Carol had a very large circle of friends and family who will miss her deeply.

Carol is survived by her daughter Jayne Glemza Beck, her granddaughter Katelyn Beck, her step-granddaughter Jennifer Beck Freemen (Jason), numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by Jayne’s sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-laws to whom she was very close: Doug (Mary Ellen) Beck, Susie Frohling, and Elaine (Jim) Mullany, Frank Anderson, and Terri Beck and Kay Beck.

She was preceded in death by her parents Algert and Ruth Swanson, her brothers David (Pat), Paul (Cynthia), a brother (in infancy) and her son-in-law Gary Beck.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
The P.E.O. Foundation
Treasurer’s Dept.
3700 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50312

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:30 AM May 28, 2022 at the Baker Community House.

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