Obituary

Dr. Zondra Lindblade Swanson, age 90, a resident of Windsor Park in Carol Stream, passed away on Friday, December 23, 2022. She was born May 31, 1932 in Moline, Illinois to Lester & Merle Lindblade.

Zondra lived in Moline until she attended Wheaton College. Following her graduation from Wheaton College (IL) in 1955, she spent two years working with Frontier Nursing Service in Central Kentucky, as she believed a future sociologist should experience other cultures. During this time, she accompanied midwives on horseback, became acquainted with rattlesnakes, and brought special needs children to Lexington, a full day’s trip that included driving a jeep through the middle fork of the Kentucky River. She earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling at Michigan State (where she met Ruth Bamford) and a Doctorate in Organizational Studies at Loyola University (IL). After two years at Philadelphia School of the Bible, she became Dean of Women and Professor of Sociology at Wheaton College, where she was a beloved faculty member. For 34 years she worked at Wheaton teaching Sociology and mentoring students in the Human Needs and Global Resources (HNGR) Program. She visited students in 51 countries. In 1998 she was awarded Professor of Sociology Emerita status by Wheaton.

She married for the first time in 2007, becoming the wife of Jack Swanson. They enjoyed 15 years together.

Zondra enjoyed many other activities including travel, playing games and laughing with good friends, time with Ruth at their cabin in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, painting, as well as being politically active. Everyone knew her as a wonderfully brilliant conversationalist with many friends.

She is survived by her husband John "Jack" Swanson; her brother David (Ivene) Lindblade; her sister Mary Ann MacKenzie; many nieces, nephews, and step-children Bob (Laurie) Swanson and Kathy (Steve) Soneson. She is also survived by her long-time, best friend Ruth Bamford.

Zondra was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Linda Hendricks, and her step-son Daniel (Angelica) Swanson.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 13, 2023 at 10:00 AM, with Memorial Service following at 11:00 AM at the Windsor Park Auditorium, 124 Windsor Park Drive, Carol Stream, IL. 60188. The service will be livestreamed beginning at 11:00 AM CST through this link: Zondra's Memorial Service

Memorial gifts may be directed to Zondra Lindblade Scholarship at Wheaton College, 501 College Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187 or the Windsor Park Benevolence Fund, 124 Windsor Park Dr., Carol Stream, IL 60188.