Debra A.

Swenson

Atkinson — Debra Ann Swenson, 64, of Atkinson, formerly of Springfield, died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at Country Lane Retirement Village in O'Neill.

Memorial visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Another memorial visitation will be held from 9-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Springfield.

Memorial funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the church in Springfield.

Burial will be in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Atkinson at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Debra was born on Dec. 14, 1961 in Storm Lake, Iowa to Ralph and Carolyn (Youngdahl) Reiling. When she was three years old, the family moved to a farm near Rembrandt, Iowa. Deb graduated from Sioux Rapids/Rembrandt High School in 1980. While in school, Deb enjoyed playing sports and was active in 4-H.  

She attended Northeast Junior College and was enrolled in an accelerated secretary program. While there, her sister introduced her to Roy Swenson. She thought they would be a good match because they were both rather tall. She was right and the couple married on Dec. 4, 1981 in Sioux Rapids, Iowa.

The couple settled in Norfolk for a few years before Roy's railroad career moved the family from Norfolk to Wyoming, then to Iowa, then to Illinois and finally back to Nebraska.  

In 1990, they had their first son Gus, while living in West Chicago. In 1993, their second son Leo was born while they lived in Alliance. In 1994, the family finally put down roots when they moved to Springfield. 

Over the next 26 years, Deb raised her family, was an aide at Springfield Elementary, worked at the Rug Shop, taught Catechism at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Springfield, served as president of the Platteview High School Band Boosters and was a founding member of the Springfield Library Foundation, which led to the building of a new library.

In October 1997, Deb was diagnosed with breast cancer. This battle led her to participate in many Breast Cancer Awareness Events. Deb was always willing to share her cancer story and inspire other women faced with the same challenges. Deb beat cancer and was a 29-year cancer survivor! In 2017 Deb was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's.  

After they retired, the couple moved to Roy's family farm, near Atkinson, in 2021. Due to her failing health, Deb moved into Country Lane Retirement Village in 2023.

Deb was a gifted quilter and sewer. She enjoyed traveling with friends and family. She will be remembered as a fantastic cook and homemaker.  Deb loved talking to and spending time with her family. She never missed a Reiling Family reunion.

Deb is survived by her husband of 44 years Roy Swenson of Atkinson; two sons Gus (Cassie) Swenson of Springfield and Leo Swenson of Atkinson; one granddaughter Leona Rose Swenson of Springfield; four siblings Rod (Kathy) Reiling of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, Carol (Darwin) Johnson of Arthur, Iowa, Glenda Reiling of Columbia, MO and Wendy (Tony) Brown of Summerville, SC; one sister-in-law Judy Reiling of Bennington; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Steve Reiling.