Laverne E. Swille

LaVerne E. Swille, age 86, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2015. She was born in the town of Preble, WI on August 8, 1928, a daughter of the late Robert and Catherine (Beyer) Tilkens.

LaVerne was a wife, mother and teacher. She was married to Joseph Swille on May 6, 1950 and together they raised six children. LaVerne was also a school teacher and taught 39 ½ years in Wisconsin. She received her degree at Oshkosh State Teachers College in 1949 and completed her Bachelor of Science at St. Norbert College in 1962. Most of her teaching was to second graders at Valley View School in Ashwaubenon for 29 years. She also taught at the River View School in Denmark, the Fair View School's in Eaton and Glenmore, the Shirley School as well as three years in the City of Sheboygan. She belonged to the Brown County Teachers Retirement (BCTR), Wisconsin Retired Teachers, Ashwaubenon Retired Teachers, AARP, VFW Auxiliary, the Polish Legion Auxiliary as well as the VFW Ladies Auxiliary (Wrightstown).

She loved children very much and also enjoyed the friendship of many teachers and friends. She could be very serious but also had a good sense of humor. She enjoyed learning the newest dance steps with her teen-age granddaughters. She also enjoyed hunting and fishing with her father and husband.

LaVerne is survived by her children: Rhonda H. Zirbel and her husband Rod, Darwin Swille, and his wife Marcia, Randy D. Swille and his wife Anne, Roberta Grafin-Wallenfang, Debbie J. Hermans and her husband Matthew and Darlene M. Christianson and her husband Greg; her grandchildren: Holly, Michael and Jeffrey Zirbel, Carrie and Jacob Swille, Katie, Joe and Shane Swille and Beth Jones, Kristy Kostreva, Nicole Grafen-Ducette, Ricky Grafen, Sammie Wallenfang, Celeste Hermans, Hunter Hermans, Connor Christianson, and Haley Christianson. She also leaves her great-grandchildren: Darian, Donnie, Wessly, Brook Lynn, Scottie, Camaron, Ashley, Taylor, Miles, Allison and Joezie. LaVerne is further survived by her sisters: Dolores (Ardeal) Davister, Nathalie Salzseider, her sisters-in-law Geraldine and Mary Tilkens, her brother Elroy (Gerry) Tilkens and youngest sister Aggie Hudson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joseph on October 19, 1995, her brothers Clayton and Marvin Tilkens, her sister Maxine (Roland) Prevost and her brother-in-law Lester Salzsieder.

Friends and relatives may call at the NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, (340 S. Monroe Avenue, Green Bay) on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 from 4 to 7PM a Vigil will be held at 6:30PM. Visitation continues at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral (140 South Monroe Avenue, Green Bay, WI 5430) on Thursday, 28, 2015 from 10 to 11AM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11AM. Interment will be in Ft. Howard Memorial Park.