Evelyn Mae Swanson DeBell

Evelyn Mae Swanson DeBell, 96, passed away on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at Accel at Longmont. Evelyn Swanson was born on a farm in Williamsfield, Illinois, in 1922. She was the daughter of Swedish immigrants, Emilie and Viktor Swanson, who came to Illinois in search of a better life. Evelyn Swanson entered Methodist Hospital nursing school in September 1940. She borrowed $200 from a Swedish uncle to pay the tuition for 3 years of nursing education. She was 18 years old upon her entry to the nursing school. She graduated in 1943, and joined the US Army Nurse Corps in March 1944, where she was a 2^nd Lieutenant, serving in World War II in England and France for 2 years. Her nursing war story is documented with the history department at Regis University in Denver, Colorado. After her service in World War II, she and her friends were playing darts one evening in Illinois. They put up a map of the United States, and Evelyn aimed her dart towards Denver, Colorado. They packed their bags and headed out west where they found work immediately at St. Luke's Hospital. After the cost deduction for room and board, mom's salary was $90 a month. She continued her career working for the major hospitals in Denver, followed by a job with the Colorado State Orphanage. When she became allergic to the soap, she left to work at the University Park Medical Clinic in pediatrics, OB/GYN, and dermatology. She retired at the age of 55. When her husband, Edward DeBell, had a serious stroke she volunteered on a daily basis to work with him at a nursing home in Littleton, Colorado. She was 78 years old at the time, but she managed to push him in his wheelchair to lunch each day. During her career she was devoted to the doctors and other nurses to provide excellent care to the patients. She was available to work the night shift as a private duty nurse before she had one daughter. She demonstrated flexibility, and open mindedness, to drive one hour from North Denver to Aurora during snowstorms at night to work with the critically ill patients at the VA hospital at Fitzsimmons Army Base. Since 2009, she has been living at Sunrise Assisted Living where she taught the staff how to properly make a bed, with military corners. She handled her own medications. Her diagnosis of Parkinson's slowed down her movements; but she still had a nice word to say to everyone she met. I am proud to have her as a mother, and I learned a lot about character and honesty from her over my lifetime. Nursing was the highlight of her life. She was grateful to have achieved a lifetime career in nursing promoted by her excellent education to become a diploma register nurse with Methodist Hospital. In 2016, Evelyn moved to the Bridge Assisted Living in Longmont, Colorado. On Sunday afternoon, September 23, 2018, she had a major stroke around the dinner hour. She went to the ER where they decided to fly her on a helicopter to the University of Colorado Hospital at Anschutz Medical Center. The staff is the best for neurological issues, but they were unable to reverse the brain damage. She was transferred to Accel Nursing Home in Longmont, Colorado where she spent her final days under hospice care. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward DeBell. She leaves behind to cherish her memory daughter Sharon (Jim) Bolsinger, and grandson Shaw Bolsinger. Passing before her are sisters Betty Kleinschmidt, Elsie Smith, Marilyn Rose, and brothers Carl Swanson, and Ernest Swanson. She has several cousins who are still living.

A funeral service to honor the life of Evelyn Mae Swanson DeBell will be conducted at 1:00 PM, Friday, October 5, 2018 in the Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 1091 South Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO 80246. A military committal and interment service will follow at Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, CO.

Everyone wishing to attend should assemble at staging area A on Friday, October 5, 2018 by 2:15 PM.

Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.

www.HoranCares.com

Funeral Service: October 5, 2018 1:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - South Denver
1091 S. Colorado Blvd.
Denver, CO 80246

Committal Service: October 5, 2018 2:15 pm

Fairmount Cemetery
430 S Quebec Street
Denver, CO 80247