Swanson, Donna (Mrs. Verdell) 1945-2023

SWANSON, HORNSTEIN, KLEMME

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/7/2024 at 13:44:51

Donna Swanson, 78, of Alcester, South Dakota, passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at Unity Point Health – St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Union Creek Lutheran Church, rural Akron, Iowa. Pastor Nancy Eckels will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 15, 2023, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron, Iowa. Visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the church. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

Donna Jean Klemme, the daughter of Leverne and LaVonne (Hornstein) Klemme, was born on August 30, 1945, in Fort Worth, Texas. She grew up with her father serving in the service. After they settled in Union County, she attended Hoyt Country School. She attended high school in Akron and graduated from Akron High School.

She was united in marriage to Verdell Swanson on October 31, 1962, at Brule Creek Lutheran Church, rural Elk Point, South Dakota. They lived and farmed in Union County, South Dakota. Early on, she was a homemaker for her family. Later on, she went to work at Fiesta Foods in Hawarden before going to work for Coil Craft in Hawarden. She worked there until her retirement.

She was a longtime member of Union Creek Lutheran Church, where she had served as Sunday school superintendent, bible school teacher, choir director, and helped with Luther league. Donna was a talented musician and self-taught herself how to play the organ. She served as the church organist for over 35 years. She was also a member of the Cheerful Neighbor Club in Union County and served as a youth leader for the Farmers Union. She was also a member of the Hoschler American Legion Post 186 Auxiliary. Over the years, she enjoyed knitting and crocheting, gardening, and traveling. She and Verdell enjoyed square dancing and riding their motorcycle. They took many trips on their bike. She loved the time spent with her grandchildren. She enjoyed attending all of their activities.

Survivors include her husband of over 60 years, Verdell of Alcester, SD; a daughter: Lisa (Jon) Shafer of Kansas City, KS, and their children: Gordon Gross (Holly Taylor), Kory Gross (Katie Burns), Kyle (Cynthia) Gross, and Alexander Gross; a daughter: Karen (Gary) McCrill of Akron, IA, and their children: Justin (Michaela) McCrill and Kayla McCrill; a son: Greg (Paula) Swanson of Mitchell, SD, and their children: Macy (Colten) Runge and Tanner Swanson; 6 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leverne and LaVonne Klemme; her father and mother in law, Leonard and Violet Swanson; her brother, Glenn Klemme; two sisters in law, Donna Rae Klemme and Vickie Klemme; and a great granddaughter, Amelia Grace Gross.

Source: Rexwinkel Funeral Home online obituary.