SWENDENER, RAY AND MARY (CARR)

by Mary Carr Swendener

Entry F415 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Ray and Mary Swendener 1977

Ray T. Swendener, son of Clarence and
Zora (Kessler) Swendener, was born April 22,
1917 at Lenora, Kansas. He was three years
old when his family moved by covered wagon
to north of Whitman, Nebr.

He worked on different ranches and in
Sept. 1941 enlisted in the Air Force. He was
in Biloxi, Miss in Dec. 1941 when World War
II was declared. The next four years were
spent in England, Africa, Sicily and Italy with
the 8th and 15th Air Force. He was dis-
charged in June 1945.

On Dec. 24, 1945, Ray and Mary Carr,
daughter of Lee and Janet (Hogg) Carr were
married. They lived on her folks' place (the
old Thomas Carr homestead) for 38 years.

Three sons were born to them. Eddie in
1947, Rodney in 1950 and Theodore in 1956.

Ray and his Dad exchanged help through
the years. Ray was repair man on the north
country phone line, did some mechanic work
and wired houses when R.E.A. came into the
country.

He suffered a heart attack in 1959 but
overcame that and even climbed phone poles
in years after. Mary had a light stroke in 1976,
which she also conquered.

Ray passed away June 21, 1984 at his folks'
place, where Ted is living. He was buried at
the Dry Valley cemetery with the American
Legion and V.F.W. handling the Military
Rites.

Mary continues to live on her place with
Ted operating both places.

Ed works for the "City" in Mullen, Rodney
married Marn (VanWinkle) and is a State
Brand Inspector. They live at Arnold, Ne. He
has 4 children, Rodney, Lisa, Austin and
Allison. Ted married Bonnie (Nelson) and
has three children, Kelli, T.J. and Alexis.