Rodine, Augusta Fredrika Swanson (1860-1938)

RODINE, SWANSON, PETERSON, MCNUTT, FRIEDRICH

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:51:58

Stratford Courier
October 13, 1938

Mrs. Augusta F. Rodine

"To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die."

The sweet, tender, and sacred memories which these words recall will long be cherished in the hearts of those near and dear to Mrs. Augusta F. Rodine.

In whatever way she was known best, as a friend, as a neighbor, in her home, or in church service, she was revered for her genuiness and true worth. Never a demonstrative person, she was loved for her fine personality, her high ideals, her noble Christian character, her sweet spirit of charity and forgiveness, her deep sincerity, and her loyalty and devotion to ties of home and loved ones.

Though her station in life was not high, she filled it well and gracefully. Undaunted by great sorrows and almost insurmountable difficulties, she has left us an example of faithfulness that must ever be an inspiration to those who loved her and to those whom she loved.

Augusta F. Swanson was born February 6, 1860 in Östergötland, Sweden. Her death occurred at her home in Stratford, Iowa, Monday morning, October 10, 1938, almost 15 years to the day since the death of her sister. At the time of her death she was 78 years, 8 months, and 4 days old. She passed away in the same peaceful and serene manner that had been characteristic of her living.

Her parents were Swen J. Swanson and Sophia Peterson, early settlers in Swede Bend, near Stratford. With them, her brothers, and sister, she emigrated to America in 1867, when she was only seven years of age.

She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, being the oldest member ever initiated into Avon Chapter No. 504, and an active member of both the Methodist Church and the Ladies' Aid Society before illness caused her retirement.

On July 21, 1879, she was united in marriage to Charles O. Rodine. They lived in Boone, Iowa, until 1881 and then moved to Stratford, becoming two of its first residents. Here Mr. Rodine engaged in the hardware and implement business being one of the pioneer merchants. As the years went by, seven children came to live in their home. Six of these survive: two sons, Clarence A., of Des Moines, and Charles L., of Stratford, and four daughters, Misses Lilly and Elsie, of Stratford, Mrs. George W. McNutt, Seattle, Wash., and Mrs. Leon A. Friedrich, of Los Angeles, Calif. Other surviving relatives are one brother, C.D. Swanson, of Stratford, nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Besides those she leaves only a few close friends, as many of those of former years have passed on before her.

Surely true greatness dwelt in the upright life of this quiet, inconspicuous, unassuming, little woman of whom no more appropriate words than those, which someone has written to his mother, can be said:

You painted no Madonnas on chapel walls in Rome,
But with a touch divine you lived one in your home.

You wrote no lofty poems that critics counted art,
But with a nobler vision you lived them in your heart.

You carved no shapeless marble to some high soul design,
But with a finer sculpture you did you soul refine.