Phyllis Adeline Swanson

September 11, 1921 - July 14, 2016

Phyllis Swanson passed away Thursday, July 14th. A memorial service will be held at the Montavilla United Methodist Church Saturday, July 23rd at 11:00am. Flowers may be sent to Hillside Chapel in Oregon City. Phyllis was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Eugene and Ida Mussler. She was the second of six siblings. After Graduating from Washington High School in 1940, she attended Augustana College to pursue a degree in music. In 1943, she moved to Portland, Oregon where she worked as a welder in the Swan Island Ship Yards. During the war, she worked for the Diamond Medical Supply. Phyllis met Bob Swanson at the Crystal Ballroom Dance Hall in downtown Portland, and in October of 1946, they married. Together they raised three children. Phyllis did bookwork for Bob, who was a plastering and stucco contractor. In addition, they purchased a small motel, Swanee’s, in 1962. Bob passed away in 1983, but Phyllis continued to run Swanee’s until 1999, when she sold it and retired at 78 years of age. Although she never completed her music degree, she loved classical music and continued to play both piano and organ throughout her life. She was an active member of the Montavilla United Methodist Church. Phyllis taught Sunday School and was a member of the bell choir. She is survived by her daughter Barbara, Son Steve, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.