Henrietta Mae Swacina

Henrietta Mae Swacina, 86, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2014, in Lubbock, Texas. She was born in Windsor, Wis., on Dec. 23, 1927, to August and Amanda Guelzow. She moved from Springdale, Ark., to Lubbock two years ago to be near her son, Dwane. Henri was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Douglas Charles Swacina, whom she married on Aug. 29, 1948. She was a homemaker who supported her husband as he moved throughout his career as a veterinarian, first in private practice and later with USDA. Both Henri and Doug were graduates of DeForest High School in DeForest, Wis. Henri went on to study home economics at Stout Institute in Wisconsin. She volunteered for many organizations, including the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary in Springdale, Ark., Meals-on-Wheels and Decatur House Museum in Washington, D.C. She enjoyed singing, gardening, playing bridge, baking, doing needlework and helping Doug restore several antique cars. Henri and Doug enjoyed traveling around the country, taking cruises and boating on Beaver Lake in Arkansas. Henri also doted on her two grandchildren, both of whom are Eagle Scouts. She was particularly proud of the many awards Brian won as part of the Texas Tech University Therapeutic Riding Center and of Steven who is pursuing a degree in biochemistry at Texas Tech. She was a big fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks, always doing her best to tune in to every game. She is survived by Dwane; his wife, Kim; her grandsons, Steven and Brian, all of Lubbock; and a daughter, Linda of Miami Beach, Fla. She is also survived by her sister, Helen Lind (Henry) of Great Oaks, Mich.; and a sister-in-law, Joan Skalet (Paul) of Black Earth, Wis. She was preceded in death by her three brothers, Frederick, Ronald and William. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Henri will be cremated and a memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on July 26, 2014, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville, Ark. She will be laid to rest in Fairview Memorial Cemetery in Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to the Texas Tech University Therapeutic Riding Center, Box 42141, Lubbock, TX 79409. Tributes and condolences may also be posted at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers website: www.memorialdesigners.net.