Swenson, Mary Elizabeth (Clark) --- 1922-1998

WINTERS, CLARK, SWENSON, MCSHANE, MIENE, BARTLEIN, SADOWSKI, BOLLMAN

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunter
Date: 4/10/2013 at 13:45:42

Mary Elizabeth Swenson

Funeral services for Mrs. Verdon Swenson were held Thursday, August 13, 1998, at 10:30 a.m. in the Forest Mills United Methodist Church, rural Postville, IA. The Rev. Steve Campbell officiated. The Eulogy was given by Chuck Bloxham. Marge Ewing was the organist and there was special music by Dan Bartlein, Dan Beck, Joy Bartlein, flutist and Israel Bartlein, bongo drums. The Schutte Funeral Service of Postville was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in the Minert Cemetery, rural Postville.

Mary Elizabeth Swenson, the daughter of Floyd and Alice (Winters) Clark, was born February 16, 1922, near Waukon, IA. She passed away at her home in Post Township, northeast of Postville, IA, on Monday, August 10, 1998. She had reached the age of 76 years, 5 months and 24 days.

She was graduated from the Waukon High School. On July 24, 1947, Mary was united in marriage with Verdon "Bud" Swenson, in the Forest Mills Church, south of Waukon. To this union 4 children were born, Faith, Hope, Mary Lynn and Hall. The family farmed in Post Township from 1950 to 1976. They then built their present home just north of where they had farmed.

Mary worked beside her husband and helped with the farming, as well as working in the garden and caring for the flowers she loved so much. When Bud went into the ministry, Mary assisted her husband in his work and was known for her graciousness and hospitality. Her greatest joy was her family. She especially enjoyed the grandchildren and great grandchildren and cooking and baking for them. Mary also loved to read and embroider when she could find the time.

She is preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Roberta McShane; and a brother, Keith Clark.

Surviving are her husband, Bud; 3 daughters, Faith (Richard) Miene of Toddville, IA, Hope (Dan) Bartlein of Postville and Mary Lynn (Walt) Sadowski of Denver, CO; a son, Hall (LuAnn) Swenson of Postville, IA; 14 grandchildren, Rick and Roxanne Miene, Israel, Joy, Isaiah, Becky, Sam and Justin Bartlein, Daniel and Michael Sadowski, Heather Swenson, Erika (Swenson) Olson, Crystal Swenson and Jesse Swenson; 2 great grandchildren, Adrianna Miene and Kaitlyn Olson; a sister, Dora (Everett) Bollman of Luana, IA; a brother, Lloyd Clark of Postville, IA; and many other relatives and friends.

Mary was a member of the Forest Mills Church, the Forest Mills Ladies' Bible Study, the Lay Witness Missions Team, and a past member of the Gideons Auxiliary.

Casket bearers were Rick Miene, Daniel Sadowski, Jesse Swenson, Bruce Olson, Israel Bartlein, Sam Bartlein.

Postville, Iowa newspaper of the time clipping, from Dorothy Schave's obituary collection.