Pam Szwanek

Pamela Sue Szwanek, 59, of North Platte, died unexpectedly at home on Tuesday, May 14, 2019.

Pam was born May 4, 1960, to Faylin Swain and Arleen Olive (Gass) Finch in North Platte. She grew up in North Platte where she attended public schools and was a member of 4-H for many years. She won several awards with her horse, Miss Tin Cup, and puppy, Buttercup, and rode in several NebraskaLand Days parades.

After high school, Pam married Robert Duane 'Bob' Mills in Omaha. They lived in Lexington for a while, had three kids and later divorced. Pam moved back to North Platte where she attended Mid-Plains Community College. She received her CNA then worked at the North Platte Care Center. Pam later went back to Mid-Plains and took classes in cake baking, cake decorating and bookkeeping.

On June 23, 1988, Pam wed Kirk Edward Szwanek in North Platte. The couple did some traveling with Kirk's job on the railroad and lived in Juanita for a short time before returning to North Platte.

Pam had a kind heart and enjoyed spending time at home. She loved kids and animals, especially her puppies, and was a good sketch artist and published poet.

She leaves behind her husband, Kirk, of North Platte; mother, Arleen Young, of Sutherland; daughters, Tara Sturghill (Julio), of Nesbitt, Mississippi and Heather Mills (Gary Oeltjen), of Hastings; grandchildren, Adam Canell, Jacob Trejo, Sabrina Mills Torres, Samantha Mills DeCent, Sydney Reed, Destaney Mills, Angel Mills Behrens, Robert Mills, Jr., Robbie Mills III and Starr Mills; and great-grandson, Mateo Trejo.

Survivors also include her half sister, Tracy DeLaet, of Broken Bow; stepmother, Diane Oreter, of North Platte; stepbrother, Steve Young, of Cheyenne, Wyoming; stepsisters, Carol (Mike) Farmer, of Chesapeake, Virginia, Donna (Stan) Johnson, of Nolanville, Texas and Debra (Marty) Myers, of Cheyenne, Wyoming; brothers-in-law, Dave (Mary) Szwanek, of North Platte, Jeff (Robin) Szwanek, of Lincoln and Rod (Lori) Szwanek, of Omaha; mother-in-law, Mary Szwanek, of North Platte; several nieces, nephews and other family.

Pam was preceded in death by her father, Faylin Finch; son, Robert Mills; stepfather, James Young; father-in-law, Adrian Szwanek; and sister-in-law, Shirley Szwanek.

Cremation was chosen. Memorial Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or prior to the service at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the North Platte Animal Shelter or Paws-itive Partners to help pets in need.