Leila M. Swenson, 89, previously of Paxton, passed away Thursday, September 4, 2025 at Brookdale Senior Living, Urbana, IL.

Leila was born March 16, 1936 in Paxton, IL to Earl and Leta (Marshall) Sypult. She was the middle of three sisters. Leila married Everett Eugene Swenson on September 15, 1959 and gave birth to her son Gregory in December 1962. She later married Lyle Gaines on May 13, 1995 in Urbana, IL.

Leila attended White School in rural Paxton and graduated from Paxton High School in 1954. She worked for CIPS of Paxton, on the family farm during planting and harvest seasons, and was a bookkeeper for University Asphalt Company in Urbana until retirement. Leila spent her later years as a "snowbird," splitting time between Urbana, IL and her second home in Estero, FL. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Paxton and attended Estero Methodist Church and Urbana First United Methodist Church.

She enjoyed spending time with her sisters canning vegetables in the Summer and Fall and candy making at Christmas (Leila was not nearly as talented in the kitchen as Marsha and Evelyn, who had taken after their mother), but enjoyed all kinds of woodworking (Leila took after her father in this regard), refinishing furniture, and toll painting.  She took pride in gardening and working in her yard.  She loved watching college basketball on TV and was highly competitive playing cards (especially euchre). Leila will be remembered as a generous, loving, hard working, caring woman.

She is survived by her son Greg (Alex) Swenson of Fairmount, IN, beloved niece Angie (Roger) Marsh of Urbana, IL, beloved cousin Shirley Willard of Urbana, nieces Debbie (Leland) Bush of Blue Springs, MO, Vickie (Jeff) Swinford of Champaign, IL, nephews Bryan (Sandy) Smith of Manteno, IL, Lyle (Sabra) Molen of Pontiac, IL, and many lifelong friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lyle; and her two sisters, Evelyn Molen and Marsha Smith.

Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at Glen Cemetery, Paxton with Rev. Pat Allin officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Baier Family Funeral Services of Paxton.

Memorials may be made to an organization of the donor's choice. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.