SWANSON, Arlene Liberty (Rodrain) 1918-2014

SWANSON, RODRAIN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/28/2014 at 13:40:56

#1:

ROCKFORD, IOWA - Arlene Swanson, 95, of Rockford, died on Thursday, March 27, 2014, at Nora Springs Care Center in Nora Springs.

Online condolences may be left at www.fullertonfh.com

Arrangements are incomplete at Fullerton Schumburg Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 302 West Main, Rockford, Iowa, 50468, 641-756-3311, www.Fullertonfh.com .

Mason City Globe Gazette, 28 MAR 2014
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#2:

ROCKFORD, IOWA - Arlene Liberty Swanson, 95, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 27, 2014, her wedding anniversary, at the Nora Springs Care Center.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 31, 2014, at Zion Lutheran Church, 805 E. Main Street, Rockford, Iowa. Pastor Bob Scheurer will be officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City.

A visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. on Monday, March 31, 2014, at the church. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.fullertonfh.com .

Arlene was born May 21, 1918, in Mason City to Roy and Emma Rodrain. She attended school at Rock Falls, where she played on the school's excellent basketball team from 7th through 12th grade. Following her graduation in 1936, she worked for a time in a café at Rudd. On March 27, 1937, she and Raymond Lyle Swanson, accompanied their friends Keith Dutton and Dorothy Thomason to Brooklyn, Iowa, where the two couples stood up for each other to be married.

The newly married Swansons lived with his parents, Carl and Hulda Swanson, for a couple years to help them on the farm northeast of Mason City. It was here that their first son, Ronnie Ray, was born on February 6, 1939.

Arlene and Ray and their son moved to a farm east of Plymouth for a two year period, during which time Ray continued his lifelong passion for farming. Later they moved to a nearby farm where two more sons were born-Terry Lyle on November 19, 1942, and Lee Roy on September 22, 1947.

For a time the Swansons lived in Burchinal where Ray continued farming, then moved to Aredale. It was there that they sold out the farming endeavor and Ray began working for Rockford Brick and Tile Company. They moved to Dougherty and Arlene was employed at the Dougherty Hardware. In December of 1971, the family moved to Rockford. Arlene began working as Assistant Manager at the Zeck Family Market.

Arlene’s retirement years were happily spent in the local Foster Grandparent program where she assisted in the classroom of second graders for 11 years. In February 2010, she was selected Foster Grandparent of the year, an honor she really treasured. Many additional recognitions were received by Arlene. She was a member of the Senior Citizens Club and was long-time historian.

She managed the Senior Citizens van for over 11 years and assisted with take out lunches for a number of years. Additionally, Arlene enjoyed quilting with the Luther Guild, of which she had been a long time member.

Survivors include her Sons: Ronnie (Sue) Swanson of Pardeeville, Wis., and Lee Swanson of Clarksville, Iowa; daughter-in-law Shirley Swanson of San Juan Capistrano, California; Grandchildren: Deb (Paul) Bruhnke of Madison, Wisconsin, Sherri (Dan) Houk of Pardeeville, Wisconsin, Steve (Lori) Swanson of Pardeeville, Wisconsin, Amy (Brady) Bruns of Tripoli, Iowa, Angie Swanson of Greene, Iowa; Great-Grandchildren: Paul (Jessica), Mitchell, Megan (Shane), Kati and Danie; Six Great-Great-Grandchildren and Sisters: Marge and Virginia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Terry and her half-brother, Russell.

Fullerton Schumburg Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 302 West Main, Rockford, Iowa 50468, 641-756-3311, www.Fullertonfh.com .

Source: Mason City Globe Gazette website, 29 MAR 2014