Ruth Leora Swan 1918-2010
SWAN HALE POLLY
Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 11/25/2010 at 23:23:34
Sioux City Journal
21 September 2010WHITING, Iowa -- Ruth Leora Swan, 92, of Whiting died Friday, Sept. 17, 2010, in Whiting.
Memorial services in her honor will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Whiting Christian Church, 714 West Street, in Whiting, with the Rev. Tom Scott officiating. Private family burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Albaton, Iowa. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa, Iowa.
Ruth Leora Swan was born Feb. 23, 1918, on a farm northeast of Whiting, to Clarence Samuel Hale and Hazel Blanche (Polly) in her mother's sister's home. She was the first born, but her mother died while Ruth was only 13-days old. Clarence was remarried to Myrna Law, who was the only mother Ruth knew. She attended all years of schooling through high school in Whiting, where she graduated in 1936. She attended two years of college in Cedar Falls (now University of Northern Iowa) and more than two years at Morningside College, where she obtained her BS degree, majoring in education and library science, with a minor in human services.
Ruth taught in a country school for three years. It was while she was teaching that she met and later married Elmer Swan. Ruth and Elmer were married at her parents' home in Whiting on Nov. 26, 1942. They lived on a farm in the Sloan, Iowa, area, where they raised their three children. Ruth and Elmer were devoted parents and grandparents. After Elmer's passing, Ruth moved back to Whiting. Prior to that she had taught kindergarten in the Westwood Community Schools, 10 years in Hornick and Holly Springs, Iowa, and two in Salix, Iowa. At the end of her teaching career, she became the social service director and activities coordinator of Pleasant View Nursing home in Whiting, where she served in this capacity for 10 years.
Ruth was a longtime member of the Whiting Christian Church. Until recently, she sent birthday cards to all of the members of the church and to missionaries around the world. She loved music and especially her participation in the church choir. She seldom missed a service.
During her professional career, Ruth worked with both ends of the age spectrum. Whether her charges were kindergarten children or senior citizens she had a way with both ages that made them feel comfortable and important. She had a self-deprecating sense of humor, one of the many reasons that people liked her. She was continuously learning and was always active, using computers from 1984 to 2010.
Ruth maintained a very positive attitude throughout her life and enjoyed her 92 years. Due to her faith, she was prepared for her passing whenever it came. She had already chosen the music and the Bible verses for her memorial service and admonished her daughters to understand that she would be in a better place when she was gone. Her family and friends are thankful that she was able to maintain her independence and be so active right up until her passing.
She is survived by two daughters, April Montgomery (Dennis) of Barrington Ill., and Judy Fischer of Placentia Calif. (Greg Fischer of Laguna Hills Calif.); two grandsons, Billy Swan of Scottsdale Ariz., and Andy Swan of Tempe Ariz.; three sisters, Nancy Brenden and Ellen MacClure, both of Whiting and Rose (Rod) Holloway of Urbandale, Iowa; and many other loving family members.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elmer; her son, E. William (Bill) II; and her sister, Mollie Rowe.
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