Diane Jane Swanson

Diane Swanson, 77, of Volga, SD, passed away February 11th, 2026, in Arvada, CO.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on May 30th at United Parish of Elkton, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Diane Jane Swanson was born February 18, 1948, to Delmar and Malinda (Heinrichs) Bessler in Brookings, SD. Raised on the family farm near Elkton, SD, Diane graduated from Elkton High School. She began her first career there as a beautician when she opened her own business, Diane’s Beauty Salon.

On June 6th, 1976, she married Jerome Swanson of Brookings, SD, where they made their home. In 1981, due to Jerome’s career as a Good Samaritan Society Center administrator, they relocated to Osnabrock, ND, and later to Park River, ND, where Diane continued to work as a beautician, started a daycare, crafted dolls, and focused on raising a family. They moved to Oakes, ND, in 1992 where Diane continued her devotion to family, the church, and the Oakes community. In Oakes, Diane began a new career with City Insurance, working as an insurance agent and eventually agency manager. She took great pride in her involvement with Oakes Ambulance Service as a volunteer EMT. After retiring in 2008 and relocating to Volga, SD, Diane founded Dolly’s Doll Hospital. She became an accomplished expert doll restoration artist, specializing in antique dolls. Dolls, quilting, gardening, fishing, helping others, and family were Diane’s passions.

Diane was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt, great-aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved her family dearly and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Jerome; children Kori (fiancée Kenzy) Swanson, Kelly (Jenny) Swanson, Becky (Steve) Swanson, and Allen (Emily) Swanson; stepdaughters Cheryl (Benjie) Garchitorena and Sara Heath; brother Danny (Lavon) Bessler; sisters Leanne Bailey and Lori (Terry) Hart; and aunt Edythe Monk. She also is survived by twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Clergy: Pastor Daren Junker

Interment: City Cemetery, Elkton, SD