Rita Ellen Swanson

Rita Swanson, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Moser) Rauser was born March 12, 1938 in Esslingen, Germany. She grew up, attended school and participated in a three year  apprenticeship program at a local department store in Esslingen.  Her parents owned a dance studio and taught ballroom dancing for over fifty years, Rita even danced in a few competitions with her brother, Horst.

She met the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Swanson in 1955 at a New Year's Eve party at a German friend's house, they married August 27, 1956.  Dick was an Army helicopter mechanic stationed in Nellingham, Germany.  Vicky was born June 1957, then in November 1957 Rita and Vicky flew to Iowa to live with his family until Dick could join them in March 1958. After living in Alabama for a year they moved to Kansas City, Missouri where Dick began working with Continental Airlines. Rita became a US Citizen March 1964 and son Glen was born July 1966.  The family moved to California the following year living in Lawndale for one year and in Hawthorne for eleven years before moving to Huntington Beach in 1979.  

Rita was blessed and fortunate to be a stay at home mother and wife, which she enjoyed immensely. She was an avid tennis player and has enjoyed playing since 1975 when she and two neighbor ladies learned to play at the local recreation department in Hawthorne, CA.  After moving to Huntington Beach, she played at Fountain Valley Tennis Club until it closed then she became a member of Los Cabelleros Sports Club. She played on numerous teams and even competed in several tournaments. She was a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church and volunteered in the weekly Paper Rollers group.  

She is survived by her daughter, Vicky and husband Bob Cobb; son Glen; and three grandchildren, Amanda Cobb, Genna Swanson and Liam Swanson. Preceded in death by husband, Dick Swanson.

She was a great mother, grandmother, and wife. She loved her family, tennis family, church family and friends. She had a kind loving heart and will be greatly missed.  

Family has asked that if you would like to make donations in honor of Rita please make them to the Resurrection Lutheran Church.

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