Bettye Lue Swendsen, 88, of Chillicothe, died at 4:55 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Chillicothe.

Born Oct. 20, 1921, in Burlington, Iowa, to John and Dorothy (Ward) Schultz, she married Earl H. Swendsen Sr. on June 6, 1943 in Chillicothe. He died in December 1976.

Surviving are two sons, Earl H. Swendsen Jr. of Chillicothe and Mark (Christine) Swendsen of Middlebury, Ind.; and three grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one grandchild.

She was the co-owner of By Gones Antiques in Chillicothe. She was also an AVON representative for more than 20 years.

She was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Chillicothe.

Cremation rites will be accorded and a private family service will be held at a later date with inurnment in the Chillicothe City Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to the Pearce Community Center or Rescue 33. 

Weber-Hurd Funeral Home is assisting the family and online condolences may be made to the family at www.weberhurdfuneralhome.com.