Eva Johanna Swanson (nee Skarnikat, nee Kummetz), born in Hohenbruch, East Prussia, November 17th, 1934, was the daughter of Kurt Spenner and Ernea Kummetz (Weichert), deceased, and sister of Rosie Zippan of Troisdorf, Germany. Eva was wife of Hans Egon Skarnikat of Herne, Germany, from 1958 until his death in 2000. She is survived by son Robert Skarnikat (Cheryl) of Hanover, ON, daughter Judith (Christopher) Rabishaw of Peterborough, ON, son James Egon Skarnikat of Hanover, ON, grandchildren Johnny, Sarah, Holly, Alexander, Cameron, Annika, Hannah and great grandchildren Ava, Nevaeh and Malakhi. Eva later became wife of Roland Ross Swanson of Stratford, ON, from 2002 until his death in 2015. Eva is survived by her step-children, Susan (Rob) Morrison, Doug (Carol) Swanson, Mark (Wanda) Swanson, Sally Norman (nee Swanson) and partner Brian, Steve Swanson, and step grandchildren and great grandchildren.
As the second World War swept through Europe, young Eva Kummetz was a war refugee, her mother and sister lost for two years, to miraculously reunite at the War's end. Her father lost an arm and leg and she had little time with him. Scattering across Europe, living with relatives in villages and farms, as a young woman she found work in a print shop in Herne, Germany, and met first husband, Hans. Having three children, they immigrated to Canada with 20 month old Robert, landing at Pier 21 in Halifax, NS in 1960, then working their way to Ontario and settling near Tara, ON, with a growing family, and with the guidance of their friends from the 'old country', the Skaisgirski's. Later in Chesley, ON, they turned properties while Eva was employed with McIntee Real Estate and also as a cleaner at the Board of Education, while Hans worked at Krug's Furniture. The family relocated to Hanover, ON in 1971 for work at Knechtel's Furniture, where mom loved working as an assembler for 11 years. Eva then worked at the Hanover and District Hospital, much loved in the housekeeping and MCC departments. Hans passed just months before her retirement. Later, bumping into Roland in a garden centre after they both lost their spouses, they found a new beginning together. Co-incidentally, Roland was her employer at the board office years earlier. Eva became a member of the Grace United Church of Hanover, ON. She cared for both Hans and Roland until the end, and was renowned for her caring, grace and generosity. She was an special angel and is much missed.
Friends and family are invited to a Memorial Visitation at the Mighton Funeral Home, Hanover on Friday, April 27th, 2018 from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm. There will be a graveside family service at a later date. Inurnment at the Hanover Cemetery, with first husband Hans. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Hanover & District Hospital Foundation or to the Grace United Church would be appreciated.
