Swanson, Velma Mae

Velma Mae Swanson, 79, of Manchester, passed away Saturday, March 24, 2012, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester. Funeral service: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 27, at the United Methodist Church in Manchester, by the Rev. Mike Druhl and the Rev. Mary Green. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home & Crematory in Manchester and one hour before services Tuesday at the church. Interment: Evergreen Cemetery, Delhi.

She was born Jan. 14, 1933, in rural Delhi, the daughter of Harold and Vida (Milroy) Wilson. Velma was raised and educated in Delhi; she was a 1950 Delhi High School graduate, attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls and in 1972, graduated from University of Northern Iowa. On May 28, 1955, Velma was united in marriage to Harry Donald ”Duke” Swanson. She was an elementary schoolteacher and taught in Ed-Co, Maquoketa Valley and West Delaware school districts. After her retirement she was a very active volunteer at the school, but she never quit “teaching.”

Velma was an active member of the United Methodist Church, where she was in Suzanna Wesley Circle, Adult Bible Group, and the choir. She also was a member of Eastern Star, Prairie Center Grange, Retired Teachers, Corner Club Card Club, Audubon Society, and 4-H was also important.

Velma loved spending time with her family and her grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening, reading, all farm animals, and music was a big part of her life. Velma entered the Good Neighbor Home in October 2008.

Survivors include three daughters, Barb (Brad) Heathman of Ottawa, Kan., Cathy Kelchen of Manchester and Donna (Todd) Boss of Manchester; six grandchildren, Alan (Sarah) and Ashley (fiance, Zach Fishler) Kelchen, Zach and Mikaela Boss, all of Manchester, April (James) Cox of Fort Worth, Texas, and Matt (Heidi) Heathman of Phoenix, Ariz.; five great-grandchildren, Katherine and Zachary Cox, Hayden Heathman, Jenni Kelchen, and Keeley Fishler; her sister, Zona (Russell) McPhail of Waterloo; and one brother, Mahlon Wilson of Delhi.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Vida Wilson; her husband, Harry “Duke” Swanson on April 17, 2011; one son, Harry Donald, in infancy; one sister, Ettagene Petlon; and one brother, Wayne Wilson.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.

Published March 25, 2012 in The Gazette