Verla Johnson Swan

She was 98 and had lived a full life, having grown up on an Idaho farm during the depression. She had a blessed childhood as the youngest of 10 siblings, and was filled with pride and admiration for her immediate family. They were honest, hard-working and humble people who made great contributions to society through military and church service and in the fields of agriculture, ranching, law, and medicine.

With that sense of pride and responsibility she finished college (Ricks College and Utah State University), and taught high school chemistry in Tooele, Utah, where she met and married her sweetheart, Allen Swan.

Together they raised 4 children–2 boys and 2 girls–in Salt Lake. Mom was active as a substitute teacher, a Scout Den mother, and PTA member. She was expert at hosting holiday and weekly Sunday family dinners, nurturing an unforgettable haven for the family.

She put her family first and was the go-to for hours of help with homework assignments, church talks, and craft and science projects. Mom enjoyed news/political talk shows, a good cleaning project, and an ice cold Dr. Pepper. She loved questioning her grandchildren and great-grandchildren about their latest exploits.

She was active in the LDS church and held many leadership and teaching positions. Her favorite calling was as mission leader with her husband and “mission mum” in the Adelaide Australia mission (1974-1977). She was surrogate mom to hundreds of missionaries and traveled the country sharing her testimony of Christ and supporting the saints down under. Since then she served with dad as directors of the Los Angeles Temple Visitors Center and in giving service within her own community in what is designated as inner-city, where the work is extra rewarding. She was most proud of the work they did to lift up people in need, strengthen community, and build bridges.

Verla was grandmother to 8 and great-grandmother to 17, all of whom share a passion for her corner of Idaho and the legacy they inherited.

She is survived by Kent (Emily) Swan, Wayne (Cynthia) Swan, and Annette Swan, all of Salt Lake. She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen, and her daughter, Cynthia Andrews Smith.

Services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at the LDS chapel of the Cottonwood 11th Ward, located at 1830 East 6400 South, Murray, Utah. Visitation will be from 11 AM to noon immediately prior to the Service. Family and friends are also welcome to the interment/grave dedication at 10 AM, at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Cemetery (prior to the family visitation and funeral service). Special thanks to Valeo Home Health (including Kylee, Yuris, Sarah and their team) for their loving care.