Rebecca Marie "Marie R." (Steele) Swanson (1901-1999)

STEELE, SWANSON, GERARD, CORNELISON, THOMPSON, KING

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 1/15/2014 at 23:07:09

From Nevada Journal October 28, 1999

Rebecca Marie Swanson
Nov. 2, 1901 to Oct 23, 1999

Rebecca Marie Swanson, 97, of Nevada, died of respiratory failure on Saturday, Oct. 23, at Rolling Green Village in Nevada where she had been a resident since September of 1986.

She was born Nov. 2, 1901, to Raymer B. and Emma (Gerard) Steele in Maloy. She graduated from Maloy High School and then attended college at the University of Northern Iowa, until 1921. She married Edward W. Swanson on Aug. 26, 1922, in Mount Ayr. She and Edward farmed northeast of Mount Ayr form 1922 to 1939. At that time they moved to Collins and farmed until 1955 when they decided it was time to retire. They built a new home in Nevada and took on some outside jobs to keep them busy. Edward and Marie celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 1963 and enjoyed life together until Edward passed away on July 7, 1969. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Nevada, Golden Ages Club, Garden Club of Collins and enjoyed many friendships throughout all her years. She spent most of her time enjoying her life and visiting with her family and friends and cooking (nobody ever left her home hungry). Although she spent many of her last years in the nursing home in Nevada, she enjoyed the many, many friends and family who came to see her and always looked forward to the next visit. her last words out the door were always, drive careful.

Survivors include a son, Keith Swanson of Ames; a daughter, Mildred Miller of Adel; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward on July 7, 1969; three sisters, Belle Cornelison of Mount Ayr, Maybelle Thompson of Des Moines and Marguerite King of Winterset; and two brothers Hugh Steele and Tom Steele.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct 26, at First United Methodist Church in Nevada with Pastor Steve Williams officiating. Burial followed in the Nevada Municipal Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for Rolling Green Village in Nevada. Chet Ryan Mortuary, Nevada, handled arrangements.