Swender, Floris Gail

Floris Gail Swender, 90, of Ladora, passed into the hands of her Lord, Saturday morning, Dec. 17, 2011.

Born the first child of Folke Gustav Carlson and Ruth Shedenhelm, Floris was born July 23, 1921, in Ladora, and raised on the family hilltop farm, northeast of Victor.

Floris was educated in a country school in her early years and graduated from Ladora Public School. Her mother died early in her life and she was left to help raise her siblings on the farm that lacked indoor plumbing or central heating.

She was united in marriage to Harold “Tiny” Swender on Oct. 27, 1942, in Des Moines. After Tiny was drafted into World War II and sent to the west coast, Floris followed him to California and spent two years as a “Rosy the Riveter” in a bomber factory while he trained for the invasion of Japan. Upon their return to Ladora after the war, with help of family, they built their lifetime home in Ladora where they raised their two sons, James and Steven.

A longtime Christian, Floris taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible school for many years at the Ladora Methodist Church and was a member of the Ladora American Legion Auxiliary. A full-time homemaker, her home was renowned for being always immaculately clean and organized. Her mild manner and temperament were her strengths, if anything bothered her she rarely let it show. Her cup was always “half full,” she was never negative, always cheerful and supportive, the eternal optimist. Some of the highlights in her life were traveling with her sister, Elsie, especially their driving trip to Seattle. She even flew to Seattle at the age of 89 for her brother, Wayne's birthday. Although she was sure she “was such a bother” she loved every minute of it.

Those left to honor the memory of this gracious lady are her sons, Jim and Steve; sister, Donna; brothers, Wayne, Robert and Tom; her grandchildren, Patrick, Sara and Carrie; and her great-grandchildren, Rachel, Callie, Devin and Sylvia.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold; her sisters, Elsie and Marilyn; and brothers, Edwin and Harold.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Floris' name to the Ladora Methodist Church, Ladora, IA 52251, would make her very happy.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 21, 2011.