Jeffrey Todd Swanson

Jeffrey T. Swanson passed away on December 10, 2024, at the UNMC Medical Center in Omaha, NE, at the age of 65, after a long hard battle with an autoimmune disease. 

 Jeff was born to Harry and Karen (Lanz) Swanson, on September 2, 1959, in Scottsbluff, NE. 

 Jeff attended grade school in O’Neill, NE and high school at Rock County High School in Bassett, NE, graduating with the class of 1977. After graduation, he attended Western Nebraska Technical College in Sidney, NE for aviation mechanic and autobody technology. Returning to Bassett in 1980, he worked for Jim Shaw at Bassett Body & Glass and in March of 1983 he opened his own business, Rainbow Autobody. 

 Jeff was blessed with two daughters, Amber and Amanda from a previous marriage. In November 1990, he married Jo Keim, bringing two more children to the family, Chad and Kris.

 After closing Rainbow Autobody, Jeff worked various jobs, including Greg’s Heating and Air, until the time of the diagnosis of the disease that he fought for the next six years. He enjoyed hunting, racing, the many trips on the motorcycle, and riding the side-by-side with trips to South Dakota, Missouri, and many, many back roads. 

 Jeff was a man who never met a stranger and if he did, you weren’t for long. He had deep roots, whose life represented family, hard work, and the love of the land. He was a very dependable friend, loyal husband, proud father, and papa to all ten of his grandkids. 

 Jeff is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Karen Swanson; grandparents, Margaret and Ernest Lanz and Elmer and Helen Swanson; and in-laws, Duane and Mary Keim and Donna Keim.

 He is survived by his wife, Jo of 34 years; daughters, Amber (Josh) Chamberlain and Amanda (Brent) Cemer, both of Elkhorn, NE; Kris (Kevin) Pickhinke of Bassett; and son, Chad (Connie) Butler of Cassville, MO; ten grandchildren, Kadyn, Evan, Elizbeth, Kastin, Karley, Addesyn, Ava, Alexa, Emmalin and Brynley; and other family members.

 

 

Graveside Memorial Services were held on Monday, December 23rd, 2024 in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery with Pastor Kenley Udd as the officiant. Memorials were suggested to the family in Jeff’s name for future designation. Hoch Funeral Home of Bassett was in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left for the family at www,hochfuneralhome.com.