Cecelia Jönsdotter Swanson
Newspaper: Willmar Daily Tribune, 9 Jan 1933
Submitted By: Bill Colberg
Jan. 8 (1933) --- Mrs. John Swanson, a resident of Atwater since 1880 and whose death was briefly mentioned in an earlier issue of the Willmar Daily Tribune was laid to rest last Thursday afternoon, January 5. Funeral services were held at 1:45 at the home and two o'clock at the First Lutheran church of Atwater of which deceased was a member. Rev. Arnold Nelson, pastor of the church conducted the services and a very fitting sermon was delivered by him. Special music at the services included the following numbers. At the house Mrs. B.A. Holm sang a solo "Asleep in Jesus," and at the church a chorus composed of Mr. and Mrs. O.G. Nordlie, Mrs. B.A. Holm, Mrs. George Roetzer, Miss Ethel Miller, Miss Winifred Lundquist and Mr. E.L. Martinson, sang three numbers, "When My Soul Reaches Home," "One Sweetly Solemn Thought,'' and ''Nearer My God to Thee.'' The last number was sung while the remains were being viewed. Mrs. B.A. Holm rendered another solo entitled, ''Face to Face." A large gathering of relatives, old friends and neighbors, were present at the sad rites to pay their last respect to the departed one, both the home and church being filled to capacity. There was a profusion of beautiful flowers, attesting to the love and esteem in which Mrs. Swanson was held and many gifts to the mission were given in her memory. The pallbearers were; Winzel and Cecil Isaacson, Joel and Emery Nelson, Arnold M. Anderson and Reuben Lund. The two first mentioned were grandsons of the deceased. The remains were consigned to their final resting place in the Atwater Union cemetery, south of the village.
Cecelia Jönsdotter Swanson was born Dec. 19, 1850, at Vänga, Sweden, and grew to womanhood in her native land. She was married in that country to Mr. John Swanson on May 27, 1871. The family came to America in 1880 from Oppmanna Socken, Kristianstads Lan. They first resided at Grove City for a few months and then came to Atwater where she resided until her death. This union was blessed with six children. Her husband and two sons Swan and Nels have preceded her in death. Mr. Swanson passed away May 31, 1928. Swan died Nov. 11, 1917, and Nels died June 25, 1930. Those who are left to mourn the death of their mother are Ida, now Mrs. John A. Isaacson, and Herman Swanson, both residents of Atwater, Arthur Swanson of Brooklyn, N. Y., and Emil Swanson of Buffalo Springs, N.D., all of whom were present at the funeral service. Arthur arrived here from New York a few days before his mother passed away. Besides the immediate family, who are left to mourn her death she is also survived by nine grandchildren, the four Isaacson grandchildren the only ones being present at the funeral. There are also two great grandchildren and two brothers in this country, Nels Coleburg of Prophetstown, Ill., and Louis J. Coleburg of Rock Springs, Wyoming. One brother, Bengt Johnson and a sister, Malena Johnson reside in Sweden. She is also mourned by a number of other relatives as well as a host of friends.
The death of Mrs. Swanson was rather unexpected and was sad and shocking news to the community. She had taken a cold which later developed into pneumonia and was ill for one week. Trough weakness of the heart she sank suddenly and the end came peacefully.
Answering the death summons or Monday January 2, l933, at 10:15 a. m., the deceased had reached the age of 82 years and 13 days. The community has lost a noble Christian woman in the passing of Mrs. Swanson who was a long time and beloved resident of Atwater. She had been a member of the First Lutheran church here since l881. She was much devoted to her church and attended services regularly when she was able to. She attended early morning services at her church on Christmas morning which was only a week before her death. She had stated that she had not missed one Julotta service in her church since she came here which is over fifty years ago. Mrs. Swanson was a kind and loving mother and much devoted to her family. They in turn were much devoted to their mother and have given her every comfort possible. Until Mrs. Swanson was taken ill with pneumonia she was well and spry in spite of her advanced years and able to attend to her household duties. Her son Herman has been staying home with her during the latter years. Her only daughter, Mrs. Isaacson and her family, who all reside in Atwater have also spent lot of time with her and have always been present when they could be of any service or comfort. For all kind deeds shown her deceased was most grateful. Though the earthly chapter of Mrs. Swanson's life is ended her memory will ever be cherished, not only by the family, but by her many friends here both young and old.
The grief stricken family has the profound sympathy of the entire community in the loss of their dear mother. The following are among those from out of town who came to attend the burial rites; The two sons of the deceased, Arthur Swanson of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Emil Swanson from Buffalo Springs, N.D.; Mr. an Mrs. E.T. Dillner and daughter Margaret, Mrs. S.E. Peterson and Miss Irene Isaacson of Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Hamilton, Mrs. Margarette Vander Bie Dunn and son Lawrence and Mrs. Minne Payne, all of St. Paul and Eastern Star friends of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Martin Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. John Bengtson, Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Peterson, Mrs. James Sanderson and three daughters, Mrs. E.M. Sanderson, Mrs. Russell Murray, Mrs. Botsford, Miss Myrtle Paulson and Miss Amy Fridlund, all of Willmar; Clarence Anderson and sister, and Mrs. Emil Anderson of Dassel; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. J. Nelson of Litchfield; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Setterman, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Silseth, Mrs. A.P. Nelson, Mrs. Anna Hanson and Reuben Lund of Grove City; Mrs. John Nelson and Mrs. George Lundstead of Kandiyohi: Mr. and Mrs. John Kleberg, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Magnuson of Fahlun and the latter's daughters from Kandiyohi.
Date: 9 Jan 1933

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