Evelyn Swanson

EVELYN SWANSON

Cedar Rapids

Evelyn Mae Swanson, 83, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, at Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at All Saints Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. John R. Flaherty. Valet parking will be available at the church. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, as well as one hour before the service. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Evelyn was born Feb. 5, 1932, in Cedar Rapids, to Elmer and Hilda (Michel) Medinger. She started her career at Wilson Foods, where she met her future husband of 60 years, John, on a blind date. They were married at the Little Brown Church in Nashua on Sept. 6, 1952.

She later accepted a position at Iowa Manufacturing, retiring for her most important job of her life – raising her three children and grand-mothering her six grandchildren. Most importantly, Evelyn was a super homemaker and loving wife, mother and grandmother. After her children left Evelyn's well-maintained nest, she also worked part-time at Sears and Montgomery Ward.

She enjoyed spending time with family, dining out, shopping, and more recently, the restoration of her mother's home, now known as The Heart House in the NewBo neighborhood.

She is survived by her children, Stephen (Barb) Swanson, Susan Swanson (Russ Bramer) and Julie (Dean) Miller; six grandchildren, Zak (Liz) and Zane Swanson, Shawn (Jamie) Garringer and Krystal (William) Hunt and Mandy and Nick Miller (Tiffany McCarty); four great-grandchildren, Ike, Abe and Ted Swanson and John Hunt; and her best friend since sophomore year at Immaculate Conception High School, Patricia Berg.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, John; sister, Nadine Konen; and nephew, Mark Konen.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Mercy.

Please share your support and memories with Evelyn's family on her tribute wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.