Julee Ann Swanson

Julee Ann (Hasstedt) Swanson, 75, of Urbandale passed into eternal life the evening of January 14, 2026.

Julee was born on March 13, 1950, in Boone, Iowa to M.L. and Colleen (Kimsey) Hasstedt. She married Charles Swanson on July 31, 1976, after meeting in their time working and learning at Iowa State University. Together they had two children: her favorite eldest, Kelly Swanson of Portugal, and her favorite youngest, Ashley Davis of Urbandale, along with her favorite son-in-law, Nicholas Davis also of Urbandale. Julee also lovingly referred to Verana (Jan) Eichhorn, the family's exchange student in 1998, as her German daughter. Family was an integral part of her life, and they maintained a very close relationship throughout the years. Dancing, listening to music, singing, and playing games together were some of her favorite things as well as sitting on the deck drinking coffee with Charles. Julee was joyously blessed to become grandmother to Simon Davis in 2024, a long-awaited addition to the family who brought immense happiness to the last couple years of her life, especially as Simon, Ashley, and Nick lived with her and Charles during their transition to Iowa over the past six months. Playing with, feeding, and chasing Simon around the house with his favorite stuffed sheep provided countless hours of laughter.

Julee was baptized into Christ on May 7, 1950, at Zion Lutheran Church in Ogden and kept faith as a priority throughout her life. For nearly 40 years she was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marshalltown where she and Charles made many lifetime friends. Following their transition to Urbandale to be closer to family in 2017, they joined Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Carlisle and most recently Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Des Moines where they have been growing their faith community.

She graduated from Ogden High School in 1968, received her Bachelor of Arts from Buena Vista College in 1988, and achieved a Master of Science in Education from Drake University in 2004. For 27 years Julee taught at various schools in the Marshalltown Community School district. She retired from teaching in 2013 and continued substitute teaching for the next few years. She had a love for education and a great desire to set students up for success.

Julee had a passion for music and an artistic eye which could find beauty out of the seemingly mundane. You could often find her harmonizing, listening to loud music, snapping photos, painting wildlife, and creating stories. Another one of her favorite pastimes was going on drives with Charles. Throughout her life she enjoyed taking part in various school, church, and community choirs as well as theater productions. She enjoyed traveling to visit family, especially her daughters in the various places they lived over the years. She particularly loved her time in Hawaii where she was able to spend many winter months watching whales and photographing immaculate sunsets. This past November, she was able to spend a month traveling across Europe with Charles and Kelly.

She is survived by her husband, children, and grandchild, sisters Jane (Jon) Awtry, and Sheila (Mitch) Dunn, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews, and Gail Yocom. She was preceded in death by her parents M.L. and Colleen Hasstedt.

A visitation will be held on the evening of Tuesday, January 20, at Iles Westover Chapel from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 21, at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Des Moines at 11:00 am with lunch to follow. A funeral procession and burial will be at Oakdale Cemetery in Adel following the meal. The service will be officiated by Pastor David Kuhful and Pastor Daniel Johnson (whom she lovingly considered her adopted brother.)

Memorial contributions may be directed to Blank Children's Hospital or Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Des Moines.

Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com. Arrangements by Iles Westover Chapel in Des Moines.