Mary Swanson

Ocheyedan, IA

     Mary Swanson age 83 of Ocheyedan, Iowa died Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at Sibley Specialty Care in Sibley.

     Mary Swanson was born October 13, 1937 to Otto and Florence (Kramer) Jager in Hartley, Iowa.  She grew up in Hartley and graduated from Hartley High School.  On August 21, 1955 Mary was united in marriage to John Swanson at the Presbyterian church in Hartley.  To this union 5 children were born.  They made their home outside of Paullina before building their home in Paullina where John worked for the newspaper.  In 1963 they bought the Alta Advertiser and the Schaller Herald newspaper and moved to Alta, Iowa.   They sold their home and moved to Decorah, Iowa where Mary worked for the bakery and was a lunch lady at the Decorah middle school.  In the fall of 1977, they moved to Sheldon before settling down in Ocheyedan, Iowa in 1978.  Mary worked for a telemarketing company at the lakes and also Sather’s Candy Company.  She entered the nursing home in 2014. 

     Mary was an active member in the St. Peters Lutheran Church.  In the past Mary was very involved with her children, being a Campfire girls’ leader, Cub scout leader and Brownie leader.  She enjoyed arts and crafts, crocheting, reading, fishing, gardening, and spending time at the lakes.  She really enjoyed her cats and spending time with her family.

     Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 66 years, John; children, Linda Solem of Decorah, IA, Rick (Lisa) Swanson of Jacksonville, FL, Lisa (Larry) McGee of Norwich, CT, and Kristin (Bill) Walmsley of Ocheyedan, IA; nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; along with extended family and friends.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Florence; brother, Donley Jager; infant son, Eric John; and son-in-law, Randy Solem.