Jill Marie Swank, 55, Austin

Published 10:16 am Thursday, December 20, 2012

Jill Marie Swank, 55, of Austin, Minn., passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Jill M. Swank

Jill was born Jan. 2, 1957, to Theodore and Joan (Kratley) Oelfke. She grew up in Minneapolis where she graduated from South West High School. On Aug. 20, 1977, she married Kevin Swank in Austin. Jill did day care for a number of years before going to work at Cashwise Foods in Austin and then transferring to New Prague where she spent her last years with Coborns. Jill enjoyed following her four sons in all their sporting events, especially baseball games at Marcusen Park. She also loved going to her parents’ lake cabin and spending time relaxing with family.

Survivors include her husband, Kevin Swank, Austin; four sons, Garrett (Rachel) Swank, Lansing, Minn., Benjamin Swank, Austin, Daniel Swank, Austin, Andrew Swank (special friend Michelle), Austin; two grandchildren, Cameron and Jace; parents, Ted and Joan Oelfke, Waconia, Minn.; siblings, Jackie (Rod) Anderson, Houston, Texas, Jeff (Jane) Oelfke, Edina, Minn., John (Diana) Oelfke, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Julie (Jeff) Lee, Farmington, Minn.; mother-in-law, Theresa Swank, Austin, Minn.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Doug Swank, Placitas, N.M., Debra (Dale) Mullenbach, Austin, Nathan (Shawn) Swank, Austin, Tammy (Scott) Wilson, Austin, Mary (Leo) Niehues, Red Wing, Lisa (Bob) Cummings, Lenexa, Kan., Tonja (Randall) King, Red Wing, Michael (Stacy) Swank, Austin; many nieces and nephews.

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She is preceded in death by her grandmothers, Vera Kratley and Louise Oelfke; great grandmother, Lenna Meilkey.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper and Deacon John Kluczny officiating. Friends may call one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Arrangements by Mayer Funeral Home. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.