Doris Jean Berry Swenson

Born in Raymond, Illinois, on October 21, 1937, Doris Jean Berry Swenson along with her twin, Dolores Kay Berry, entered this world. They were raised on the family farm in Irving, Illinois. Doris graduated from Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, Illinois, in 1955.

From there, she became a nursing student as part of Barnes Hospital School of Nursing’s first nursing school class in St. Louis, Missouri. It was in St. Louis where she met the love of her life, James D. Swenson, from Gillette, Wyoming, who was a dental student at Washington University in St. Louis. They were married in 1958 and, thereafter, moved to Camp Pendleton, California, where James served as a naval officer attached to the Marine Medical Corp. While at Camp Pendleton, they were blessed with two daughters. In 1961, Doris and Jim moved to Gillette, Wyoming, where Jim opened the Gillette Dental Group. Two sons were born in Gillette to complete their family. Doris quickly assimilated into the community and truly loved her life in Gillette.

Always busy with their four children, Doris was a Girl Scout Leader, a Boy Scout Leader, a 4-H Leader, active with Job’s Daughters, and active in the Republican Party. She was active in PEO, a Deacon for the First Presbyterian Church, and established the Candy Stripers Program. Doris served on the Board of Directors for the Campbell County Memorial Hospital and was very proud at the level of healthcare in Gillette, Wyoming. Doris later served on the Wyoming State PEO Board and served as the Wyoming State President in 1993.

Upon Jim’s retirement, Doris and Jim moved to the Powder Horn community in Sheridan, Wyoming. Doris enjoyed her last few years in Rockford, Illinois. She was a member of the Rockford Chapter ET of PEO and was an active resident of Wesley Willows. Her husband Jim, her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as well as her sister and her family have always been the true focus of her life. Her service, wit, and loving way always lighted up a room.

Doris is survived by her children, Kelly (Brad) Sishc of Wyoming, Jamie (Kyle) Cassel of Rockford, Illinois, Eric (Sandy) Swenson of Texas, daughter-in-law Amelia (Berry) Swenson; twin sister Dolores (John) Hill and niece Celeste Hill; grandchildren, Brock Sishc, Taylor Sishc, Jay (Catherine) Cassel, Adam (Celicia) Cassel, Sydney (Josh) Wittkowske, Connor Cassel, and Erica Swenson; great grandchildren, Willa Cassel, Joni Cassel, Kiersea Cassel, Kaleigha Cassel, Kenley Cassel, Kailani Cassel, Tynne Holmgren, Cole Rose Holmgren, and James Holmgren. She was predeceased by her parents, Kenneth and Linda Berry; in-laws, D.A. “Kelly” and Helen Swenson; husband, James D. Swenson, D.D.S.; son Berry (Amelia) Swenson; and grandsons, Andrew James Swenson and Samuel Durward Cassel.

Services will be held in Gillette, Wyoming, at a later date. Memorial donations may be directed to the P.E.O. Executive Office, Treasurer’s Dept., 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312. Please make checks payable to P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education. Online donations can be made at: P.E.O. Program. Share memories and condolences online at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.