Ruth J. (Iverson) SWENSON

IVERSON, SWENSON, BAUGE, HILL, TICKNOR, HEYING, JACKMAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/17/2007 at 21:35:34

Gazette, The (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City, IA)
August 9, 2007

Ruth J. Swenson, 90, of Keystone Cedars, Cedar Rapids, formerly of Story City and Ellsworth, died Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. Memorial services: 3:30 p.m. today, Keystone Cedars, Cedar Rapids. Funeral services: 11 a.m. Saturday, Trinity Lutheran Church, Ellsworth. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Soderstrum Funeral Home in Story City.

Ruth was born Nov. 3, 1916, in Dows, Iowa, to O.B. and Olive (Bauge) Iverson. She lived in Dows with her family until they moved to Ellsworth when she was a teenager. She graduated from Ellsworth High School and married Lloyd M. Swenson on Aug. 28, 1938. Ruth and Lloyd farmed for 40 years, then continued to live in Ellsworth for another 19 years. They moved to Story City and lived there for eight years. Ruth moved to Cedar Rapids in August 2005. Ruth was always involved in her church, community and family. She served as 4-H leader, was a member of Advance Club, a member of TLCW at Trinity Lutheran Church and participated in Senior and Friends and many service projects.

Ruth is survived by a son, Lee (Judy) Swenson of Newton; a daughter, Ronda (Richard) Hill of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren, Kirk Swenson of New York City, Anne (Rob) Ticknor of Iowa City, Kara (Todd) Heying of Cedar Rapids and Laura (Brent) Jackman of Cedar Rapids; and four great-grandchildren, Regan, Blythe and Camryn Heying and Piper Jackman. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd M. Swenson; and three brothers, Donald, Lester and Wallace Iverson.

Ruth was a loving, caring, and giving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was loved and appreciated by all for her smile and laughter, positive attitude, sense of humor and always being willing to listen or play a game. She was a "people" person with family and friends always taking first in her life. Ruth will be greatly missed by all who knew her. A memorial has been established in her name.