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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Helen Swanson
Helen
Swanson
Mar 31, 1919 — Sep 10, 2017
Helen Swanson's Obituary
Mrs.
Helen I. Swanson, 98, of Rochester, was surrounded by her loving family when she passed to her eternal Heavenly home at 7:30 PM,
Sunday, September 10
, 2017 at Hickory Creek at Rochester.
On
March 31
, 1919, in Logansport, Helen Irene Woolley was born. She was a treasured daughter of Arthur and
Lillie Truax Woolley.
Growing up as the fourth oldest, she shared her childhood with five sisters and six brothers.
In Rochester, on
August 1
, 1936,
Helen and Carl E. Swanson were married. They shared 67 years together. From their union came two beautiful daughters, Tish and Phyllis. The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of three more generations, including seven grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and twenty-six great-great-grandchildren.
Growing up as a pre-teen during the "Great Depression," Helen learned first hand and understood economics, conservation of resources and developing a solid work ethic. This influence led the Swanson family to be more than 90% self-sustaining, a hallmark she was very proud of during her lifetime. This was accomplished by the family's truck patch garden and the beautiful and well-maintained orchard in their back yard. Their orchard consisted of peaches, pears, apples and cherries. Helen annually froze and canned these delicious fruits. Their garden supplied the bountiful harvest, which was put away for winter use and shared with her family.
As adventurers, Carl and Helen enjoyed traveling to all 49 continental states. This accomplishment was garnered by travel with their coveted camper. On two occasions they struck out on a multiple month summer excursion to scenic Alaska.
During one of their trips to the "Land of the Midnight
Sun
," they boasted the third largest fish caught in the Bay of Alaska.
Their favorite destination was Naples, FL where they spent 35 winters in the paradise of the tropical KOA campground. Regulars, Helen and Carl served in a leadership role as ambassadors assisting new campers to the grounds.
Helen attended the Grace United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Naples Red Hat Society of KOA. As a talented crafter, Helen enjoyed working with her hands. She expressed herself painting, with oils on canvas. Helen was an accomplished seamstress. Prior to her retirement she served as a clerk at Topps and at the Rochester Water Department, a gardening assistant at the Blooming Corner and was employed at the Naples KOA. An avid card player Helen enjoyed spirited games of crazy 8's, euchre, Uno and bingo. She truly possessed a soft spot in her heart for all animals providing homes over the years for many kittens and puppies. She occasionally tamed and cared for some common backyard friends, nursing them back to health or raising them from infancy.
Left to cherish Helen's memory are a daughter, Patricia
"Tish" Blackburn of Rochester; son-in-law Paul Howard of
Rochester; seven grandchildren: Brad Howard and wife Laura, Jeff Howard and wife Kelly, Paula Scholl and husband Butch, Andy Howard and companion Susan
Mahedy
, Julie Calvert and husband Marc, Doug Blackburn, and Kenneth "KJ" Blackburn and wife Amy; 16 great grandchildren; 26 great great grandchildren; a sister, Alma Watkins, of Lafayette; a brother, Donald Woolley of Phoenix, AZ; a sister-in-law, Mary Woolley of Naples, Florida;
and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding Helen in death are her parents; beloved husband Carl on
April 4
, 2003; a daughter, Phyllis Howard on
October 4
, 2016; a granddaughter, Selena Jo Howard; a son-in-law, Kenneth Blackburn in 1992; four sisters: Thelma Thomas, Irma Weiger, Deloris Rollins, Hazel Woolley; and five Woolley brothers: Walter, Willard, Kenneth, Robert and Delbert.
Pastor Kerry O'Brien will officiate services.
Interment will be in the Athens Hoover Cemetery.
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
Funeral Services for Helen Swanson
Visitation
September
18
Monday
Good Family Funeral Home
4:00 - 7:00 pm
Visitation
September
19
Tuesday
Grace United Methodist Church
10:00 - 11:00 am
Celebration of Life
September
19
Tuesday
Grace United Methodist Church
Starts at 11:00 am
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