Delores Swanberg, 89, was born on her parents’ farm near Nardin, Okla., on July 16, 1922, to J. Floyd and Luella Trekell McAninch.

She died Nov. 28, 2011, in Woodland, Calif., following complications of a head injury.

She received her early education in Tonkawa, Okla., and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Colorado in 1942. In her younger years she was employed by Standard Oil of New Jersey as an organic chemist in Wichita, Kan.

She met her future husband, Alfred Swanberg, while in college; they married June 11, 1944, and celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary prior to his death in May of 2003.

Delores was active in community affairs in Kalispell where she and Alfred settled after the completion of Alfred’s medical training and military obligations. She was often volunteered by her children as room-mother, driver extraordinaire, den mother, cook, costume maker or various other activities. She served on numerous PTAs, served on the Flathead High School board for a number of terms and helped instigate a push for the early Glacier College, a forerunner to Flathead Valley Community College, in Kalispell.

She fought hard and tirelessly to have the old Central School deeded to the Historical Society by the city and was an early advocate for a historical museum at that site. She served on the board of the museum until 2006.

She was an avid reader, learner, published writer and loved all history and fine art. She was a fine seamstress and knit for all her children.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred, in 2003; and her parents.

She is survived by her sister, Evelyn Barton, of Wagoner, Okla.; her children,  Linda Swanberg of Missoula, Drs. Louise Swanberg and Tom Colyer of Kalispell, Chris and Joni Swanberg of Sacramento, Calif., Shelley and Jim Ferkovich of Woodland, Calif., and Drs. Jane-Marie and Adam Law of Ithaca, N.Y.; grandchildren, Adam and Jamie Colyer of Bellevue, Wash., Christy Colyer of Washington, D.C., Katie Swanberg of Sacramento, Kelly Swanberg of Los Angeles, Brian and Rebecca Ferkovich of Davis, Calif., Melissa and Sheldon Blissett of Woodland, and Sam, Tamar and Hannah Law of Ithaca, N.Y.; as well as great-grandchildren, Meilla, Alani and Talyk Blissett and Kaylee Ferkovich. 

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held in the spring in Kalispell at the Museum at Central School.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the Museum at Central School.