Edith D. "Swanee" Whitelaw

Edith D. "Swanee" Whitelaw, 91, went on to meet her Lord Jesus early Wednesday morning, March 13, 2019, from Keller, Washington. Swanee entered this world at Holmes City, Minnesota, on Friday, December 9, 1927, into the home of Gust and Anna Pearson-Swanson. As a co-founder and sustaining member of Keller Community Church of Keller, Washington for over 50 years, she faithfully served as the church Treasurer/Secretary and as Cook for Vacation Bible School. A graduate of Abbott School of Nursing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she loved serving as an LPN, tending to patients' needs at the BIA Hospital in Nespelem, Washington.

On December 17, 1949, eight days after her 22nd birthday and eight days before Christmas, Edith's life forever changed when she married Glen Whitelaw in Keller, Washington. Together they ran cattle in Keller, Washington's San Poil Valley and ran Glen Whitelaw Logging, in which she served as bookkeeper. Swanee loved tending her flower garden, with a special affinity for nasturtiums. All who were blessed to know Swanee, quickly came to see that she had a true servant's heart, never happier than when she was caring for and seeing to another's need. Her greatest joy was time spent being "Grandma Swanee" to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren... being close and watching them learn about Kingdom living at CFO camps, taking swimming lessons and all of their other various activities which she could attend.

Predeceased by her loving husband of 39 years, Glen Whitelaw; two daughters at birth and sons Gus Whitelaw and Mark Whitelaw; Swanee's legacy lives on through her children: Karlene Katich (Steve), Chris Marie Whitelaw and Glenda Whitelaw (Mike); grandchildren: Nikki Katich, Fawn Katich, Lex Katich (Stefanie), Sorrell Katich (Melissa), Brandy Katich, Amber Holmes (Curt) and Echo Scott; great-grandchildren: Dalley Angstrom, Ruger Angstrom, Colt Angstrom, Sierra Studer, Chance Studer, Keslee Shockey, Linkin Katich, Linnix Katich, Eli Katich, Conner Katich, Buck E Katich, Saige Katich, Paige Holmes, Antionne Holmes, Mateo Holmes, Thoren Holmes and Darion Holmes, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

Swanee's viewing/visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2019, at Strate Funeral Home in Grand Coulee, Washington. Her funeral will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 22, 2019, at the Keller Community Center in Keller, Washington. Graveside services will follow at Keller Community Cemetery in Keller.

Her family requests that any memorial gifts in Swanee's memory be made to the Keller Community Church, PO Box 356, Keller, Washington 99140 or at 509-499-3806.

Strate Funeral Home, of Grand Coulee, is assisting her family.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.stratefuneralhome.com for Edith's family.