Rosary and Wake Service: Thursday, June 17, 2021, 6:00 P.M. with visitation to follow, Holy Rosary Church, 24116 Marian Avenue, Glenwood, Iowa.
Mass of Christian Burial for Lora and Harold Swanson: Friday, June 18, 2021, 10:30 A.M., Holy Rosary Church, 24116 Marian Avenue, Glenwood, Iowa.
Lora Swanson’s life came to a peaceful end on June 11, 2021, when she was called to her heavenly home at the age of 90. Her life was testimony of her faith and values, which were evident in the choices she made and the way she lived her life. She was a loving wife, Mom and Grandma, was an excellent and dedicated teacher, a tireless worker in the Democratic Party and a wicked-good Bridge player. She was well-read, well-traveled and well loved.
Lora Willems was born in Heron Lake, Minnesota on January 20, 1931 to Paul and Margaret Willems. She was united in marriage to Harold Swanson in 1952 and was blessed with four children, ten grandchildren and 68 years of marriage. Besides choosing well, the secret to their long and happy marriage was the genuine and obvious mutual respect they had for each other. Their strengths complemented one another, they shared the same deeply-held values and She worked to achieve the same goals. As a life-long, faithful Catholic, she taught CCD classes, participated in multiple church committees and worked diligently to raise funds to build the addition to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Glenwood, Iowa. Family, friends, religion and living up to one’s potential were the important things in her life.
She was also a life-long learner and an educator; she graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota earning a degree in education and teaching first-grade students for 47 years. She returned to school to complete her Masters’ degree when many of her peers were thinking about retirement. During her life, Lora was active in her church, in the community and in politics. She enjoyed reading, playing Bridge, sewing, camping, gardening and traveling throughout the United States and abroad. She wrote and published a book on her favorite hero, Norman Borlaug, titled Hero in a Hurry for middle school students and created Puppet Phonics, a tool for teaching reading to her first graders. Her greatest loves were spending time with the family, challenging herself intellectually, reciting poetry and anything that required stamina and athleticism, e.g., sailing, waterskiing, alpine and cross-country skiing, ice skating, rollerblading and hiking.
Lora was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harold, her parents, four siblings and a number of sisters and brothers-in-law. Those left to cherish her memory include her children; Greg (Barb) Swanson, Kay (Doug) Palmer, Ron (Deb) Swanson and Dave (Cathy) Swanson; grandchildren Nate (Sarah) Swanson, Nick Swanson, Anna Swanson, Matt Swanson, Ali Swanson and many dear nieces. nephews and friends. We are so grateful for the wonderful caregivers, who took such great and tender care of both her and Harold in the last few years; Terri Stevens, Ann McGrath, Christy Moreno and Terry Amburn.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Holden Cancer Center, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, Norman Borlaug’s Nobel Prize winning legacy at mhusain@worldfoodprize.org or her favorite program ScienceFriday.com (or send a check to Science Friday, 30 Broad Street, Suite 801, New York, NY 10004).
Interment, Glenwood Cemetery, Glenwood, Iowa.
8 Condolences
My deepest sympathy to you all. I knew Laura when I worked at Northeast Elementary School. She was the sweetest lady who was so intelligent. Her passion as a teacher was obvious to me in our conversations.
I am sad to hear this. Lora was an exceptional person and an amazing teacher. . I admired everything about this lovely lady. Always kind and generous. I still want her book. Regret I never got there to pick up the book. How lucky Glenwood community had Lora and Harold living and sharing their talents with the Glenwood. community. . My condolences to her family who I know will carry on her legacy.
Prayers for the Swanson Family and great joy knowing your Mom is in Heaven with our Savior.
So very sorry to hear of Lora’s passing. She was such a kind and wonderful teacher! The last time I ever spoke to her, my parents had run into her at an ice cream social in Silver City. My mom called me, and let me talk to her. I said “Well hello Mrs. Swanson!” and then I paused and said that I didn’t know her first name because I had grown up calling her Mrs. Swanson. She chuckled and said, “Well it’s Mrs, isn’t it?” We shared a good laugh, and she shared her “real” first name. Will never forget her and her kindness!
I am sorry to hear of Lora’s passing, but happy her suffering is at an end and she is once again together with Harold. They were both such kind and wonderful people.I always enjoyed visiting with them. We had many interesting discussions.Happy that God placed them on the path of my life. May they be welcomed into the heavenly kingdom & enjoy the rewards of a life well lived, in service to others. May God bless their familt and give them comfort as they mourn.
So sorry to hear of Lora’s passing. My son was in her first grade class and she was a sweet women who always asked about him many, many years later. My prayers to the family.
Lora was a great lady, and such a dedicated teacher. I so enjoyed visiting with her when we both worked at the school.
I Love Lora, Lora gave me the Privilege to do her Hair, She always remembered Me, .I felt Blessed to Have
Known such a Beautiful Lady.
Sign Guestbook