SWANSON, Oscar P. (1866-1957)

SWANSON, SVENSON, JOHNSON, DAHLGREN, BRIDGES, LEMKE, LOEFFLER, DOSSINGER, LAWHORN

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 12/5/2012 at 15:15:46

In Memory Of
Oscar P. Swanson
1866 - 1957

Funeral Services at the
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH
Friday, November 29, 1957
2:00 P. M.

Rev. Melvin Miller, Pastor

Obituary

Oscar P. Swanson, son of Sven P. and Mary Sophia Svenson, was born on January 29, 1866 in
Kalmar Lane, Sweden and passed away at 11:30 p.m., November 25, 1957 at the age of 91 years.
The oldest in a family of three sons and two daughters, Oscar outlived his entire family;
all his brothers and sisters having preceded him in death.

Mr. Swanson attended the public schools, was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church,
and grew to young manhood in Sweden, where he also spent one year in military training. He
decided to leave his native land and came to America in 1888. His first employment here was
in the lumber camps in Wexford County, Michigan, where he earned but a few cents a day. He
not only experienced many hardships but also many interesting adventures.

In 1895, Oscar Swanson and Miss Hulda Johnson of Morris, Illinois, were married, and they
established their home on a farm near Morris. To this union, five children were born—Mary,
Albert, Carl, Esther and a son who passed away in infancy. Death again entered the home and
took the young wife, Hulda in 1904. Thus leaving the father with four small, motherless
children.

On October 5, 1905, Mr. Swanson was married to Miss Anna Dahlgren of Chicago. They continued
the housekeeping and the family life already established on the farm near Morris. To this
union. seven children were born— Ruth and Roy (twins), Dora, Leonard, Edith. Ethel and
Phyllis. In 1911, the Swanson family left Illinois and moved to their newly acquired farm
two miles east of Klemme, Iowa, where the family lived until the children were grown. In
1937. Roy took over the management, and the parents retired from active farming. For several
years Mr. and Mrs. Swanson resided on the adjoining farm in the summers and enjoyed
traveling to warmer climates in the winters. The past six years they have made their home
in Clear Lake, Iowa.

This family circle was broken on July 12, 1954, when their youngest son, Leonard, suffered
an acute attack of coronary thrombosis and passed away while fishing at Clear Lake.

On October 5, 1955, Mr and Mrs Swanson observed their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Although
Mr. Swanson had been failing gradually with the infirmities of old age, his health was good
until this past summer when he began failing more noticeably.

He suffered a heart attack on October 10, and was taken to a hospital at Mason City, where
all possible medical aid was administered, but to avail.

Mr. Swanson has always been an honest, Christian man of upright character and integrity. He
was blessed with the faith, courage and fortitude to carry on when facing misfortune and
adverse conditions. Until his final illness, one of his favorite pastimes was to listen to
church services on the radio and television.

Surviving and left to mourn his passing are his wife, Anna, who has been his faithful
companion and helper; three sons and seven daughters; Mary, Albert and Roy Swanson, Mrs.
John Etchen (Esther), Mrs Orville Bridges (Ruth) and Mrs. Reuben Lemke (Edith) all of
Klemme; Carl Swanson of Britt; Mrs Karl Loeffler (Phyllis) of Nora Springs; Mrs. William
Dos-singer (Ethel) of Long Beach, California; and Mrs. Francis Lawhorn (Dora) of Lynwood,
California. Surviving also are 20 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Mr. Swanson will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Casket Bearers

ART KUDJE
HAROLD JOHNSON
HARRY GIBBS
OBIS LUNDY
MENNO ALBERS
ASA ARNOLD

ORGANIST
JoAnn Jacobs

SINGERS
Mrs. Marvin Lemke
Mrs. Carold Larson

SONGS
"Shall We Gather at the River"
"Beyond the Sunset"

FLOWERS
Mrs. John Chambers
Mrs. Ben Coobs

Interment in
Ell Township Cemetery
Klemme, Iowa

OSMAN FUNERAL SERVICE
Glenn Osman, Director
Klemme, Iowa

source: funeral card