Ruth Ellen Swanson

Ruth Ellen Swanson was born February 26, 1930, in Shumway, Illinois and died on July 12, 2024, in Monona, Iowa. She was born to Seth and Alma (Laue) Wetherell and baptized at Trinity Lutheran. Ruth attended school in Shumway, Illinois and graduated from Beecher City High School in Beecher City, Illinois. She graduated from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa with a degree in home economics and physical education. She taught in Waukon, Iowa and also was a substitute teacher in Monona, Iowa for several years.

Ruth was married to Roger Swanson on August 22, 1954 in Shumway, Illinois. The family recently gathered for an early celebration of their almost 70 years of marriage. Roger and Ruth had five children – Debra (Steve) Yeager, Georgetown, Indiana; John (Julie) Swanson, Des Moines, Iowa; Nadine Swanson, Monona, Iowa; Lori (Kevin) Nicolet, Des Moines, Iowa; and Jane (Scott) Schroeder, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After teaching and raising her family, Ruth was a Homemaker’s Aide for 15 years. Ruth enjoyed her family, gardening, reading, playing cards, and sewing quilt squares for church. Ruth and Roger operated a fruit orchard west of Monona for over 45 years.

Surviving her are her husband Roger and five children; twelve grandchildren, Rebecca, Sarah (Austin), Rachel (Nathan), Andrew (Jill), Gregory (Peyton), Emma, Grace, Jaime (Kevin), Chris, Nathan (Justine), Jared and Ryan; twelve great-grandchildren, Amelia, Lucy, Gavin, Eli, Liam, Abigail, Jonah, Naomi, Ezekiel, Elias, Malachi and Archer as well as several nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents and seven siblings.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home in Monona, Iowa, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am and a short service at 11:00 am with Deacon Pat Malanaphy as the officiant.

A time of fellowship and a light lunch will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Monona following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations to Monona library or Monona trail system.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona, Iowa is assisting the family with services.

Click here to visit the Leonard-Grau Funeral Home website.