Dona Swygard

Dona Swygard, age 93, of Amarillo, Texas passed away peacefully on November 19, 2023, at Abundantly Blessed Care Homes of Amarillo.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, November 25, 2023, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mediapolis, Iowa. Interment will follow in Kossuth Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to a charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, Amarillo, Texas.

Dona Dee Swygard was born November 17, 1930, in Burlington, Iowa, the daughter of Carl H. and May (Ward) Peterson. She was united in marriage to John Ned Swygard on September 3, 1950.

Dona graduated from Burlington High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Iowa Wesleyan College. Dona and Ned lived in Burlington until Ned’s job transfer moved them to Amarillo, Texas. A life-long interest in antiques led her to owning her own shop, Antiques Amarillo. Dona was an avid duplicate bridge player and attained the rank of Silver Life Master. Smart as a whip with a fantastic memory, she enjoyed talking about any topic and happily shared her knowledge and stories about her family history. Her greatest feat was raising her two boys, and she held her family and friends close to her heart. Dona was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church.

She is survived by two sons, Craig Swygard (Paula) of Iowa City, Iowa, and Brad Swygard (Jeanette) of Amarillo, Texas; brother, Ronald Peterson (Connie) of Howell, Michigan; sister, Joy Bryant (Gary) of Marshalltown, Iowa; sister-in-law, Deb Peterson of Eldridge, Iowa; grandchildren, Sarah, Amanda (Luke), Joel, and John; foster-daughter, Shan Titus Ambika of Eugene, Oregon; and many nieces and nephews.

Dona was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; siblings, Marilyn Peterson (in infancy), Delores K. Hartman, and Dennis W. Peterson; and brother-in-law, Paul Hartman.