Verdella J. Sweigard

Verdella “Della” Jane Sweigard, 80, of East Wenatchee, WA passed on peacefully to join her beloved LeRoy on Saturday, February 13, 2016. Della was born on September 16, 1935 to South Russian immigrant Raphael Geiger and Lydia Ahl Geiger in Mandan, North Dakota. She was the second born child, joining elder sister Darlene on the homestead in Hebron, ND. A few years later they moved west to Spokane, WA where younger brother Ronald was added to the family. Raphael’s work in heavy construction moved the family several times until they eventually settled in the greater Seattle area in the early 1950s. As a young girl, Della loved to dance and sing, spending many hours in lessons and school choir. In 1952 Della married Milford “Mel” Kasper with whom she had her first two sons, Rick and Randall Kasper. For two years, she was a single mom working for Boeing and her father’s residential construction firm and raising her two young sons. In 1960 she married LeRoy “Roy” Archie Sweigard and settled in their family home in Tukwila, WA. There she and Roy had two more sons, Ronald and Robert. Della was a busy mother to four active boys and spent much of her spare time serving on the PTA in various capacities. Family gatherings where an extremely important part of life for Della, she always took time to celebrate holidays and other events with her folks and Darlene and Ron and their children. In the early 90’s Roy and Della purchased an acre of property in Enumclaw and had Rick and Randy (Kasper Construction) build their dream home. Della was very active in the home building process, from clearing the land, designing the home, and even pounding a few nails as necessary. This was a very joyful time in her life. Della loved spending time with her grandchildren, and spent many years traveling around the northwest, camping and exploring different places with Roy and her family. She also loved to bake and pass on special family recipes from old Germany, such as kuchen & pfeffernusse cookies. Della and Roy moved to Wenatchee in 1998 and spent their final years there. Della is survived by her four sons, Rick (and Carol) Kasper of Federal Way, WA; Randy (and Karen) Kasper of Ravensdale, WA; Ron (and Loretta) Sweigard of Cle Elum, WA; and Rob (and Liz) Sweigard of Cashmere, WA; by her sister Darlene Geiger of Mesa, AZ; her brother Ronald (and Penny) Geiger of Tappahannock, VA. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 20, at Grace Lutheran Church in Wenatchee. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guest book at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements are by Jones & Jones-Betts Funeral Home.

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Verdella J. Sweigard

September 16, 1935 - February 13, 2016