Carole Ann Swanson

Hamilton - Carole Ann Swanson, 67 of Hamilton passed away Thursday, July 2, 2009 at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula.

She was born March 26, 1942 in Knoxville, TN to Caswell and Colleen Longmire. Carole married Stanley Swanson on Sept. 7, 1966 in Knoxville, TN at the 1st Methodist Church. Before she married Stan she was a model and a candy striper at a local hospital while attending school. After she married she was a homemaker for many years supporting Stan as he played professional baseball. After several years they quit the fast life of professional baseball to purchase the Lochsa Lodge where they found Jesus together and their lives as individuals and as a couple has never been the same. For many years she worked in the restaurant business supporting her husband and later went into real estate.

Carole enjoyed playing the piano and singing. She also loved to paint watercolor landscapes. She liked to plant flowers and most of all she loved spending time with her family, particularly her grandchildren.

Carole was a devoted wife and mother who took great pleasure in her family and serving Jesus Christ her Savior. She had a dream to one day open an orphanage with her husband in Belize. God willing, this will be a reality one day in honor of her and her dream to help those who can't help themselves. She was such a compassionate lady who will be called blessed and praised by her children and husband whom will continue to live to love her more each day. She was truly a legacy to all those who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her father, Caswell Longmire, mother, Colleen Longmire and brother, Ray Longmire.

Survivors include her husband Stanley Swanson, Hamilton, MT.; sons, Rix Kordsmeier, Hamilton, MT. and Curtis Swanson, Sheridan, OR.; daughters, Shantel Watson, Hamilton, MT. and Shelley Cooper, Missoula, MT.; 11 Grandchildren, 11 Nieces and nephews, and cousin, Diane Gross of TN.