Tracy Merlene (Ealy) Swanson, 15 Dec 1935 - 30 Jan 2025

SWANSON, EALY, LORRAINE, HANKEMEIER, VAN METER, SWANSON, CAVROS, MORTON, TIERNAN

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 2/5/2025 at 13:45:51

Tracy Merlene Swanson, lovingly known as "Merlene," passed away peacefully at home on January 30, 2025, surrounded by her loving family after a long illness. Visitation: 4 – 7 p.m. Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Service: 1 p.m. Friday, February 7, 2025, at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Linwood Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the funeral home website tribute page for Merlene, under “videos,” starting at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2025. A luncheon will be held directly following the burial in the Murdoch-Linwood Legacy Center.

Merlene was born on December 15, 1935, in Lohrville, Iowa, to Francis Wayne Ealy and Ellen Bernice Ealy (Lorraine). She attended school as a child and later married Richard Lee Van Meter in 1953 in Jackson, Minnesota. They later divorced, and in 1970, she married the love of her life, Richard Frank Swanson, in Marengo, Iowa.

For a time, Merlene worked in the dietary department at the University of Iowa, but she was most devoted to her role as a homemaker, dedicating her life to her husband, children, and the many passions that brought her joy. She found great fulfillment in family gatherings, sibling get-togethers at Susie’s, and the cherished tradition of Brothers and Sisters Night.

Being the oldest of 13, Merlene took on a nurturing role for her family, and after her mother’s passing in 1994, she filled big shoes, always up to the task for everyone. She never forgot a birthday, special occasion, or milestone in the lives of her extended family. She was known for her homemade staples—beef and noodles, banana bars, chocolate pie, pea salad, and countless other favorites.

Merlene loved gardening, fishing, playing cards, and rolling the dice in a good game of Yahtzee. She enjoyed visiting casinos, sharing meals with loved ones, and celebrating all holidays—especially Christmas and the treasured Ealy Family Christmas Eve gathering. She was also known as a bingo buddy, one of the best lunch dates a person could have, and a dedicated shopper at Kmart, always with a Diet Pepsi in hand. An avid reader, she could often be found lost in a book. She was also a devoted dog lover and will be forever missed by her beloved companion, Rudy.

Above all, Merlene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She leaves behind a legacy of love and family, survived by her daughter, Karla Hankemeier; her daughter-in-law, Darlene Van Meter (Richard); and her sons, Terry Van Meter (Nancy), Jeffery Van Meter (Gerry), Scott Van Meter (Katrina), and Kristofer Swanson (Dana). She was a proud grandmother to 15 grandchildren and a great-grandmother to 23 great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her loving siblings: sisters Susie Cavros, Julie Morton (Paul), and Joy Tiernan, as well as brothers Marty Ealy and Ted Ealy (Penny).

Merlene was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Richard Frank Swanson; her son, Richard Van Meter; her sisters, Vicki, Carolyn, and Colleen; and her brothers, Denny, Tommy, and Mike.

Her love, warmth, and unwavering devotion to her family will be deeply missed but fondly remembered.

A special thank you to Unity Point Hospice, especially her nurse Stephanie and Pastor Jeff, for their compassionate care. The family would also like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Murdoch Funeral Home, including Lori and Heather, for their kindness and support during this difficult time.

Published in The Gazette on February 2, 2025.