Clarence Oscar "Sway" Svebakken - 1907-1990

SVEBAKKEN, NELSON, DAVIS, THIAS, PALAS, POWELL, OLSON

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 7/12/2011 at 13:46:18

SOURCE: Waukon, Iowa WAUKON DEMOCRAT, August 16, 1990
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Funeral services were held Wednesday, August 15 for Clarence Oscar "Sway" Svebakken, age 82, who died Sunday August 12, at the Veterans Memorial Hospital. The Rev. Debra von Fischer conducted the 1:30 p.m. services at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church, rural Waterville, Iowa. Burial was in the church cemetery with Martin Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Casket bearers were Harold Buege, Gordon Gilbertson, Herb Platten, Lloyd Bechtel, Terry Hermeier, James B. Normann, Leo Gansen, Jr., and Rodney Bloxham. Honorary pallbearers were Lloyd Meehan, Ben Quillin, Ed Lenth, and Eilert Thorstenson.

A lifelong Allamakee County resident, Clarence was born August 13, 1907 in Paint Creek Township, Allamakee County, Iowa to Peter S. and Malena (Nelson) Svebakken. He attended rural Bryson School, graduated from Waterville High School and attended Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. On November 26, 1932 he married Doris Loretta Davis at St. John's parsonage in Waukon, Iowa. He farmed in rural Waterville for 25 years and for 13 years he worked for Allamakee County on the road maintenance crew. He was a member of OWPC Lutheran Church and bowling teams in Waukon and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

Clarence was preceded in death by two sisters, Erna and Pearl.

Survivors include his wife, a daughter, Janet (Eugene) Thias of Monona, Iowa, and a son, Roger Svebakken of Spring Valley, Minnesota; 3 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are 3 sisters, Alice Palas and Melia Powell, both of Waukon, Iowa, and Mrs. Melvin (Elvera) Olson of West Salem, Wisconsin, and 2 brothers, Bernard Svebakken of Apache Junction, Arizona, and Roy Svebakken of Decorah, Iowa.