Lorna Gae (Richards) Swanson 1923-2022

SWANSON, RICHARDS, MOLTZEN

Posted By: Barry R Huntsinger (email)
Date: 7/10/2022 at 17:26:47

Lorna Gae Swanson, the daughter of Thomas B. and Emma (Moltzen) Richards, was born on a farm north of Dolliver, Iowa on February 23, 1923. She died on Friday, June 24, 2022, at Homestead Independent Living in Estherville, Iowa at the age of 99 years.

She received her education and graduated from Dolliver High School. In 1941, she graduated from business college in Mankato, Minnesota.

After graduating from college, Lorna worked at Railway Motors in Fairmont, Minnesota for three years and then moved to Estherville and worked at DEK for three years.

On June 22, 1947, Lorna was united in marriage to Wilburn Swanson at the Methodist Church in Estherville. Following their wedding, the couple lived in Estherville for a short time before moving to her parents’ farm near Dolliver, where Lorna’s parents built a home for the newlyweds.

Lorna was a member of the Dolliver United Methodist Church, where she was confirmed, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and served as president of the United Methodist Women. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society, Galloping Grandmas, and the Chatter Club.

Lorna had many hobbies which included quilting, embroidering, making bead bracelets, crocheting, gardening, keeping scrapbooks and funeral books, roller skating, and line and square dancing. She enjoyed collecting beanie babies, barbie dolls, and tea pots. She was also known for jumping on her lawn mower and keeping the farm looking great.

Lorna liked to bake pecan pies for different occasions. She didn’t have many flops, but one time for Kim’s birthday, she forgot the sugar, but he said he ate it anyway. During the holidays, Lorna made lots of different kinds of cookies the family enjoyed.

Lorna was a sports fan and enjoyed watching the Iowa football teams, college basketball, and the Minnesota Vikings. Her favorite card game was 500, and she also enjoyed word searches, puzzles, euchre, and charades.

Family meant a lot to Lorna, especially family gatherings. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren brought her great joy and pride, and she was so proud of them.

Lorna is survived by three children, Karen Lown, Diane (John) Larsen and Kim (LuAnn) Swanson; grandchildren, Jay Lown, Mitchell Lown, Emily Earl, Jana Vazquez, Lindsay Steffen, Nick Larsen, and Jessica O’Brian; thirteen great-grandchildren, Isabella, Mason, Sam, Max, Benji, Liana, Elaisa, Olivia, Robert, Thomas, Harrison, Lilah, and Owen; as well as her cousins and many friends.

Lorna is preceded in death by her husband, Wilburn Swanson, her parents, and son-in-law, Robert Lown.

A funeral service was held Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at the United Methodist Church in Dolliver with Jan Lange, officiant.