Melba Lorene Swanson passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at the age of 83 years 8 months and 8 days. She was born in rural Comanche County (west of Protection) Kansas on September 15, 1934.

She was welcomed into the family of Harold and Helen (Eubank) Edmonston and older brother Donald Dean Edmonston. Later, Harold Myron, was born into the family. She attended a rural one room school until she started high school in Protection as freshman where she then graduated.

She met Kenneth L. Swanson on a blind date who always commented he knew by the end of the date he was going to marry her, but he waited until the third date to ask her. They eloped and were married on April 8,1954 in Raton, New Mexico. They began traveling right away courtesy of the United States Army. Their eldest was born in a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts. Their three girls were all born in the Ashland District Hospital. Children are: Monte Swanson of Topeka, Krista Smith (Eric) of Topeka, Melanie Swanson of Wichita, and Kerry Harris of Topeka.

She was a devoted member of the Ashland United Methodist Church, including being a Sunday School teacher, Chair of Trustees and Chair of the Church Council. She volunteered as leader of several organizations for youth, including cub scouts, brownie scouts and 4-H. She was “mom”to many kids growing up, as well as a devoted wife, caregiver, and friend. She had a talent for welcoming everyone.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, Harold and Helen Edmonston, numerous aunts and uncles, her daughter-in-law (Patricia) and her for former son-in-law, Brian Harris.

She is survived by her devoted husband and their four children, three grandchildren, Eric Brandon Smith (Tara), Elizabeth “Liz” Smith Kinate (Nathan “Nate”), and Lauren Harris and her two great grandchildren, Hudson Kinate and Ryder Smith. She is also survived by her two brothers and their families.