M. Elaine Swanson, 92, of Gettysburg, died April 8, 2026. She was born April 3, 1934, in Kane, PA, the daughter of the late Edwin G. Anderson and Leona E. (Johnson) Anderson.
Following graduation as valedictorian of Kane High School, Class of 1952, Elaine earned her BS degree in 1956 from Indiana State Teachers College (now Indiana University of Pennsylvania), majoring in math and science. She served as Editor of the college newspaper for one semester and was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority. She received her Master’s Degree in Education from Penn State in 1960. The first 22 years of her teaching career were spent in 7th- and 8th-grade classrooms, teaching math and physical science, in Warren, PA; Davenport, Iowa; Gettysburg; and Hanover, PA. Many, many days were spent substitute teaching in Gettysburg, New Oxford, and Littlestown schools. When Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) opened in Gettysburg, Elaine was one of its teachers. She taught Algebra and other math courses at HACC for 12 years.
In addition to teaching, Elaine spent 12 years working in the office of Gettysburg’s Weis Markets. She also managed Granite Hill’s water slide for several summers. She volunteered at the Gettysburg Library’s Used Book Store and at the summer Used Book Sales. She served as the Holiday Family Outreach Treasurer for 10 years.
Elaine was an active member of St. James Lutheran Church in Gettysburg, singing in the Adult Choir for 46 years. She attended Bible Studies and Sunday School classes and helped the quilting group. She was a member of the congressional council and a volunteer in the church office.
Elaine was an avid sports fan, especially if the games involved the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Steelers, or Penn State. Brother Darrell and son Jon were active in various sports. Elaine attended all their games. She was an active bowler in the 1970s and 1980s, bowling in several local leagues and participating in regional, state, and national tournaments.
Elaine enjoyed playing games as long as it was not Scrabble, Pictionary, or Bridge. She and her son made a powerful team in Trivial Pursuit-just ask the Christiansons or Crowners. Elaine and her siblings occasionally played a marathon round of Pinochle. She enjoyed solving word puzzles and putting together 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles. She loved playing Cribbage with her dear friend Ornetta Mehl.
In addition to her parents, Elaine was preceded in death by a sister, Marilyn Sitler, and a brother, Darrell Anderson. Survivors include son Jon Swanson and partner Jennifer Schaufele of Columbia Heights, MN, sister-in-law Marilyn Anderson of Jeannette, PA, sister-in-law Mary Ellen Badeau, niece Lori Klepic of Greensburg, PA, and nephew Steve Anderson of Lancaster, PA as well as four grand nephews. She considered her family to include the Adult Choir and the Thursday Morning Bible Study, and the YaYas. Much thanks to Kay McDowell for her 15 years of friendship and assistance.
Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 20, 2026, at St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York St., Gettysburg, PA. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. After a time of light refreshments and fellowship, her inurnment will follow in the St. James Columbarium. Memorials may be given to St. James, PO Box 4596, Gettysburg, PA 17325. The Monahan Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements, and online condolences may be made at monahanfuneralhome.com.
Finally, to the friends and students who always asked what the “M” stood for, it wasn’t “Missus” or “Matilda” or “McGillicutty,” which was often answered. It was Marjorie: Marjorie Elaine (Anderson) Swanson.