LaDene Irene York

LaDene Irene York (Swanson), 85, passed into God’s hands on December 13, 2025.

Born in McMinnville, OR on January 22, 1940, LaDene was the first child of Richard and Irene (Breed) Swanson. She was joined by a sister, Dixie Lynn and a brother Richard Evan. She spent her early years in Sheridan and Springfield, OR and moved with her family to Aloha, OR right before she entered the 8th grade. Her father cushioned the blow of leaving friends in Springfield with the purchase of their first television set. She graduated from Beaverton High School in 1958 and attended Oregon State University. While at Oregon State she fell head over heels in love with an ornery Idaho farm boy named Frank York as the two worked side by side washing dishes in the “Chow Hall.”

LaDene and Frank married on September 17, 1960, honeymooned on the Oregon Coast, and settled in Emmett, ID where Frank served as a city policeman. LaDene embraced life in Idaho and loved her new home. Frank took a job with the Idaho State Police affording them the opportunity to experience several unique locations around the state. Frank’s first assignment was in Coeur d’ Alene where they welcomed their first son, Richard McConnel, in 1965. Frank transferred to Glenns Ferry and then Twin Falls where their second special son, Kirk Evan, was born in 1968. In the early 1970’s Frank took a new job with the US Department of Transportation and the family moved to Boise; LaDene’s much beloved home until her passing. Frank and LaDene felt truly blessed to have a third son, Joel David, in 1978.

LaDene was raised in a religious home and found a local church as she and Frank moved around Idaho. When they moved to Boise, a dear friend, Betty Newell, invited her to attend the Eldorado Church of Christ. LaDene deepened her faith as she embraced Bible studies at church, Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), lectureships, and in classes at the Eldorado sponsored Biblical Studies Center (near the Boise State University Campus). Frank, LaDene and several other Eldorado members took a leap of faith and borrowed money to help build the Biblical Studies Center in the 1970s. LaDene touched the lives of innumerable friends and family sharing her philosophy of a Christ centered life. LaDene always thought of her family and friends before herself and demonstrated the spiritual gift of hospitality. She hosted numerous Sunday lunches, Sunday evening pie socials, and invited any, “stray,” she could find to holiday meals at her home. She was a dedicated cook and spent hours looking through cookbooks and later the Internet to find recipes that she wanted to try. Her last days were spent with the TV set to cooking channels watching for hours while crocheting net scrunchies without changing channels (as her sons sat with her during her final days, they became well versed in Jamie Oliver’s, “veg,” patch and kitchen).

As noted, LaDene was a proud Idahoan and provided many Boise tours to visiting family, friends and colleagues of Frank. She was a huge BSU fan and rarely missed a football or basketball game. Based on the generosity of close friends, she held season basketball tickets and attend occasional BSU football games viewed from the coveted sky box.

LaDene worked for the Boise School District for many years supporting students in the resource rooms at Jefferson Elementary and Capital High School. While sorting through her papers we found notes she had saved from students she touched as they struggled academically; each noting her love and support for them. She was more than a teacher for these students, she also worked to instill a sense of self-worth and value in each of them.

LaDene made good friends through all seasons of her life. She loved her high school and college days and quickly met neighbors and new church members as she moved around Idaho. After Frank was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, LaDene met a very special group of ladies who gathered weekly almost until her passing. The “Parkinson’s Ladies,” supported one another as each of them lost their respective spouse. After the deaths of their husbands, they continued to meet having grown into dear and close friends. In her last year of life in typical, “LaDene fashion,” she made friends and took an interest in each of the hospice caregivers who entered her home.

LaDene was proceeded in death by her parents, Richard and Irene, her sister Dixie, her sister-in-law Sue and her husband Frank. She is survived by three much loved sons and daughters-in-law. Richard (Volyn), Kirk (Judy) and Joel (Kristin). Four beloved grandchildren, Shelby (Tanner), Georgia, Sydney, and Clint. Her brother, Dick, and very special nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Kirk and Judy who selflessly moved in to support mom in her last months. They provided loving care twenty-four hours a day until she passed. We would also like to thank Gudren Wilson, her hospice nurse. We simply could not have provided the level of care mom received without Gudren’s loving support and guidance.

LaDene’s Memorial Service will be conducted at Ten Mile Christian Church 3500 W Franklin Rd, Meridian, ID 83642 at 11:00 am January 10, 2026. Memorial gifts may be made in her name to the Biblical Studies Center https://www.boisebsc.org.