Swanson, Mathilda (Mrs. John) 1866-1932

SWANSON, CHALLGREN

Posted By: Janet Brown - volunteer (email)
Date: 8/11/2013 at 19:17:25

From the Thursday, April 14, 1932 Hawarden Independent:

DEATH OF MRS. JOHN SWANSON

PASSED AWAY SUDDENLY LAST THURSDAY AFTERNOON

Was 65 Years of Age and Lived in This Community 30 Years — Leaves Two Daughters and Three Sons

Mrs. John Swanson passed away very suddenly last Thursday afternoon at her home, southwest of Hawarden. Rev. and Mrs. B. L. Carlton of Big Springs drove to the Swanson home and when they arrived Mrs. Swanson was out working in the yard. They all went into the house and Mrs. Swanson prepared lunch and while at the table she became ill and in less than a half hour she was in the land beyond. When medical aid arrived she was beyond all human assistance. Her son Carl arrived home while she was still conscious but the other sons were out in the field and did not get home until their mother was gone.

Funeral services were held in the Big Springs Baptist church Sunday afternoon with Rev. B. L. Carlton in charge. The large church was filled to capacity for Mrs. Swanson was known and loved by a large circle of friends. An exceptionally large and beautiful floral tribute gave testimony to this fact. Interment was made in the Big Springs cemetery.

Mathilda Marie Challgren was born Sept. 25, 1866, in Misterhult, Kalmar Lan, Sweden. She immigrated to this country March 6,1890, and in 1891 she was united in marriage to S. John Swanson, who preceded her in death Oct. 19, 1928. Together they started their home in Kiron, Iowa, but in 1902 they moved to Union county, locating on a farm southwest of Hawarden in Virginia township, and this has been her home continuously since that time. She was converted in Sweden in 1887, and was baptized at Kiron Dec. 3, 1901. When she moved to this vicinity she transferred her membership to the Big Springs Baptist church of which she was a sincere and active member until her death. She was an earnest Christian, she loved to go to church and she loved to see the work of the church progress. She had a quiet and unassuming personality, yet tender and kind, and a friend in need always felt sure of her ready sympathy and helping hand and her sunny cheery smile sever failed.

She leaves to mourn her departure two daughters, Mrs. John Wiksen and Miss Violet, and three sons, Leonard, Elmer and Carl, and one grandson, all of this vicinity, besides other relatives and a host of friends. The loss of a mother will be keenly felt in this home by the children as no sacrifice was too great for her to make for them.