Elfriede Swanson

Glen Burnie - Elfriede E. Swanson, died peacefully at Hospice of the Chesapeake on Monday, May 21st, she was 86. Elfriede is survived by her two daughters: Jenny Lathrop of Glen Burnie, Susan Furniss of Severna Park and the late Kathy Lease, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren an also a sister Margot Lewis of Perry Hall, Maryland.
Elfriede was born in Sandhausen, Germany to Anastasia (Proniuk) and Richard Lezanski. Anastasia and Richard were both born in Poland and later settled in the beautiful, university city of Heidelberg. Her parents were farmers and the family endured hardships during and after the wars. Elfriede became a seamstress after the war, when during this time a young American GI asked her to dance. Victor Swanson and Elfriede fell in love and this orphaned young man from Brooklyn would ask for her hand in marriage. They got married in Germany, December 30, 1954 and were married 63 years until Victor's death last month. Victor's Army commitments involved continued tours of duty throughout Asia while Elfriede was living in Germany and raising their young daughter Jenny. When Victor became stationed in Ft. Huachuca, Arizona he was able to bring Elfriede and Jenny to the United States for the first time in the fall of 1956. She became a citizen of the United States of America on August 27, 1958.
After nearly 13 years of several military assignments in Georgia and North Carolina, the Swanson family would buy a home in 1967. A brand new community in western Glen Burnie, Elfriede was never shy and proud of her German heritage and thick accent, she became active in her community - officially and unofficially.
Elfriede was proud to stay home and raise her children but she also kept herself busy volunteering. She was a Red Cross Volunteer at Kimbrough Army Hospital for 16 years in Ft. Meade, MD. She was an election judge in the county for many years. She also served as treasurer of the PTA at Rippling Woods Elementary and Old Mill Middle schools. She served a term as president of the Rippling Estates Civic Association 1981 and also sold Avon.
Besides spending time with her daughters and grandchildren Elfriede loved to go dancing with Vic and their regular group of friends. They loved to travel around the states and especially to Europe and Hawaii.
Friends and family will be received at Singleton Funeral Home on Crain Highway, Friday, May 25th beginning at 11:00. There will a time of visiting and fellowship with friends and family followed by a Noon celebration of life service at the funeral home. The service will then continue at the Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville at 1:45 for a brief chapel service.
In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122.

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