Wilma Lucille GREENMAN, eldest child of Clifford Corwin and Bessie Mae (REYNOLDS) GREENMAN, was born July 28, 1914, and departed this life at the Ringgold County Hospital, Mount Ayr, Iowa, April 8, 2000, at the age of 85 years, eight months and 11 days.

On December 3, 1935, Wilma was united in marriage to her longtime sweetheart Lawrence Linton SWANK, at Sidney, Iowa. Accompanying Lawrence and Wilma were his cousin Arlene TEDROW and fiancé Dean MORGAN who were also married. It was the depression years and the honeymooners spent the night with Wilma's great-aunt living in Shenandoah, Iowa.

Wilma spent nearly all of her life in the Salem community where she was born. For five years Wilma and Lawrence lived on a farm near Diagonal, Iowa. Here they formed friendships that still thrive today.

In March, 1942, Wilma and Lawrence purchased her parents' farm, originally owned by her grandfather. Wilma was a descendent of three longtime families, the GREENMAN, REYNOLDS, and BURCHETT families, dating from the 1870's and pioneers of Ringgold county.

Wilma was a longtime member of the Salem Evangelical Church, which her grandfather GREENMAN helped to build. She attended the Salem rural school and then graduated from the Mount Ayr high school in 1932.

From early childhood Wilma loved the outdoors, the farm, tending livestock and their new babies. Many will remember her big flocks of chickens, fried chicken dinners or scrambled egg sandwiches with fresh lettuce leaves. No one came away from Lawrence and Wilma's home hungry. Wilma served many years on the cancer drive.

Wilma Lucille SWANK is survived by her husband of 64 years Lawrence Linton SWANK; four children: Mary Ellen HIGDAY and friend Jay BOWEN, Linda Lorraine and husband Robert SWANSON, Larry Linton SWANK and friend Debra CLARK and Catherine Ann and husband Jim COULSON; grandchildren: Robert De Wayne McLEAD and friend Carrie SMITH, Gary Lynn SWANSON and wife Dawn, Brent Lee HIGDAY and wife Faith, Marilyn Ann HIGDAY and husband Steve THOMPSON, Jennifer Ann SWANK CLINE, Ronnie SWANSON and wife Sandi, Michael Paul HIGDAY and friend Sylvia Loy, Mark Lowell HIGDAY, Stacy Ann COULSON and husband Vince HENRY, Scott Lewis COULSON and fiancée Kathleen TAYLOR, Matthew Jason SWANK and wife Jennifer, Jamie McLEAD MILLER, who was considered a granddaughter and husband Keith MILLER; and nine great-grandchildren: Amanda Marie and Elizabeth Diane McLEAD, Kevin, Ryan, Lee and Brandon THOMPSON, Brenna SWANSON, Shane SWANSON and Laura Nichole SWANK; two brothers, Carlton GREENMAN and wife Carolyn and Roger GREENMAN and wife Colleen; two sisters, Edna and husband Marshall GIBSON and Alice and husband Gaylord ANDERSON; four sisters-in-law: Alice Lou GREENMAN, Georgine SWANK, Margaret SWANK and Marion SWANK HERVEY; one brother-in-law William SWANK and wife Lorrayne; 25 nephews and nieces; many great- and great-great-nephews and nieces; 19 first first cousins; one aunt Maude GREENMAN BURCHETT, age 105, of Baltimore, Maryland; many, many cousins and friends and some of her high school classmates.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Bessie GREENMAN; one brother Wilbur GREENMAN; a young sister Etta Ruth GREENMAN; four brothers-in-law: Lyle SWANK, Sr., Robert SWANK, Raymond SWANK and Glen SWANK; and one sister-in-law Marsha GREENMAN.

This wonderful lady will be sadly missed.

A memorial-celebration of life service was held Sunday, April 16, 2000, at the American Legion building. Services were conducted by her brother Carlton GREENMAN. Opening prayer was prayed by her niece Elaine RAINES and memories and a prayer were given by a friend Steve SWIGART. A granddaughter, Sandi SWANSON provided the music. Time was designated for anyone to relate memories of times with Wilma. A closing prayer and blessing were given by sister-in-law Lou GREENMAN.

A private burial by the family was attended on Sunday, April 16, 2000. Prayer was lead by great-granddaughters, Amanda and Elizabeth McLEAD, and the family members. [Interment at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Iowa.]

SOURCE: genealogybuff.com

Transciption by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2010

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