Donna Jean (Olson) SwansonHutchinson, KS

Donna Jean (Olson) Swanson, 90, died January 22, 2026, at Hospice & Homecare of Reno County, Hutchinson, KS. She was born July 8, 1935, at her parent’s home in rural Darlow, KS, to Charles and Effie (Johnson) Olson.

After teaching herself to play the piano at the age of 4, she enjoyed playing in recitals, church, the Dorothy Woods Dancers for 6 hours a day, and the Ziegfeld Follies of 1927.

Donna graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1953.  She always said she would never marry a farmer until she met Harold, the love of her life. The two married on a 107-degree day on July 5, 1953. They shared 61 years of marriage before his death on August 22, 2014.

With 3 young children and caring for parents, Donna went back to college and graduated in 1967 from McPherson College obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education to add to the farm income. Donna enjoyed teaching elementary children for over 30 years in the Buhler 313 School District. Donna was passionate about learning and enjoyed her students immensely, following their successes throughout her life.

Donna was a life-long member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, Hutchinson, with family roots going back to when her great-grandparents helped found the church. Throughout her life, Donna was actively involved in all aspects of the church, playing the organ, piano, directing the children’s choir and women’s group, to name a few. Community-minded and with a passion for helping others, Donna enriched the lives of many individuals and organizations with what God had given her. Reins of Hope, Strataca, Boys and Girls Club of Hutchinson, the Cosmosphere, TECH, and she served one term as president of PEO Chapter HP, to name a few whom benefited from her generosity.

Donna is survived by:  her children, Kim Brack (Les) of Topeka, Hal Swanson (Dan Ollis) of Hutchinson, Guy Swanson (Mary) of Leawood, and grandchildren, Matt Brack (Val), Jillian Ladd (Brian), Paige Toner (Jackson), McKenzie Swanson and Conner (aka George) Swanson; great-grandchildren, Addi and Blake Brack, Hannah, Henry and Ruth Ladd, and Owen Toner; special family friend, Marjorie Keller; her brown-eyed “daughter”, Connie McNaul; niece Judy Santiago and numerous extended family members; and her Waldron Place Family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold; and brothers, Ray, Glenn, Charles and Lyle.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 30, 2026, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 140 E. 30th Avenue, Hutchinson, with Pastor Lisa Simmelink officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. in Eastside Cemetery, 500 S. Cleveland, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Elliott Mortuary. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday in the Parish Hall of Emanuel Lutheran Church. The casket will remain closed.

Memorials are suggested to the Donna and Harold Swanson Education Memorial Fund at the Buhler Community Foundation or Emanuel Lutheran Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS  67501.