Katy Turney Swanson

October 21, 1957 – June 25, 2023

Kathryn Elaine Turney was born in Bakersfield, CA on October 21, 1957 to Wilbur and Caroline Turney. She was 65 when her heavenly Father called her home by way of a mostly private 15 year battle with cancer. Katy attended Norris School and graduated from North High School, Class of 1975. She played all four years on the girl’s tennis team, coached by her mother. When Katy was 13 she captured the championship of the first Bakersfield Women’s Table Tennis tournament. Following high school she attended Bakersfield College for two years. When she turned 19, she travelled to Austria to work as a nanny for the family of a Campus Crusade for Christ missionary couple. This was a life changing experience for her as she re-dedicated her life to Christ. After returning home, she met Bob Swanson in June of 1978 at Fruitvale Community Church. They were married on December 9 of that same year by Pastor Milt Cole. Bob and Katy were blessed with two amazing sons, Joel and Justin. Katy’s time in Austria prepared her for her God-given career and ministry as a wife, homemaker, and stay-at-home mom. She homeschooled the boys for several years. Even though Katy passed away at a fairly young age she was grateful that the Lord allowed her to know and spend precious time with each of her six grandchildren and one great-grandson! As much as she adored her own children, she was completely unprepared for the love and joy she would feel when she became a grandmother. “Grandy” happily spent hours watching their various sporting events and school performances, as long as the event didn’t start before 10:00 a.m. (Katy was not a morning person).

She will be remembered among her family for her freezer full of homemade M&M cookies, homemade Butterfinger ice cream and English Toffee, which Bob gifted to his Swanson Engineering clients at Christmastime for many years. She also taught her four youngest grandchildren the fun of making strawberry jam.

Going on before her were her parents, Wilbur and Caroline Turney. Left behind are her husband, Bob Swanson; son, Joel Swanson (wife, Lisa), their children, Luke, Andrew (wife, Kylie and their son, Malachi), and Ellie Kathryn; son, Justin Swanson (wife, Danielle), their children, Connor, Caroline (aka Carly) and Colt. She is also survived by her sister, Sue Brittian; brother, Don Turney; and sister, Gail Smithson (husband, Dennis).

Katy’s life was incredibly blessed. She was married to her best friend, sharing almost45 years of love and laughter together. She was so proud of her sons. Katy had a unique love and friendship with both of her daughters-in-law. She had a very special relationship with each of her grandchildren. She was grateful to have such wonderful siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Because of the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross, she has the hope that as they each put their faith and trust in Him, Katy will one day have all of her family treasures with her again in heaven. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life… will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. (Romans 8:38-39)

The family will have a private graveside service at the Swanson Family plot at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestmemorial.com for the Swanson family.