G. Clifford Swanson, 98

G. Clifford Swanson, 98, of Essex, passed away Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010, at his home. 

Glen Clifford Swanson was born Oct. 20, 1912, at the family home in which he lived until his passing.  He was the son of Martin Luther and Anna Josephine (Carlson) Swanson.  He was 100% Swedish.  He was the third child of six and was raised in rural Essex, where he attended Goldenrod School in Fremont Township of Page County, Iowa.  Clifford was confirmed in the Fremont Lutheran Church at Nyman, and graduated from the Essex, Iowa High School in 1932.  Following graduation, he continued to farm with his father in the Coburg and Essex area.  While at Coburg, driving a school bus, he met and was united in marriage to Coburg’s music teacher, Clara Louise McBurney on Dec. 27, 1941, at the First United Methodist Church in Red Oak, Iowa.  This union was blessed with three children:  Barbara Faith, David Clifford, and Elizabeth Ann.  Clifford was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in Red Oak for 70 years.  He and Clara Louise were involved in many church activities including ushering and bell choir.  He was well known for his corn shelling and trucking business that covered a wide territory in the surrounding counties.  He served as president of the Goldenrod School Board during the time it closed as a school near his rural home.  He was a member of the Commercial Club in Essex, Iowa.  Clifford was a strong, kind, quiet, and gentle man.  He loved and treasured his family dearly as his family treasured him and they were blessed to have him as a father, grandfather, great grandfather, and brother.  As a past time, he enjoyed playing cards with family and friends and was an avid Yankees fan.  He loved farming and was proud when the farm became a Century Farm in 1970.  Clifford had a strong work ethic and his love of farming never ended.  Clifford always looked forward to the spring and summer when he could get on his mower and mow acres of grass and ditches right up to age of 98.  
Clifford was preceded in death by his parents; his wife:  Clara Louise; brothers:  Donald and Stanley; sister:  Hazel Anderson; brothers-in-law:  Jim Still; Jennings Werklund; and Harry Anderson; sister-in-law:  Gladys Swanson; and son-in-law:  David Eckerman.  
Those left to cherish and honor his memory are his children:  Barbara Eckerman of Janesville, Wis.; David Swanson of Spirit Lake; and Elizabeth Swanson Bushard and husband David of Worthington, Minnn.; grandchildren:  Glen David Eckerman; Brian James Eckerman; and Ann Barbara Dever and husband Joe; great grandchildren:  Linnea Barbara and William Clifford; sisters:  Lois Still and Evelyn Werklund; dear and faithful friend:  cousin, Norman Esaias and wife Judy of Clarinda; and many other relatives and friends.  
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Nancy Shultz officiating.  Burial will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery at Nyman, Iowa.  Visitation with the family will be held from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010, at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel.  
Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church, Fremont Lutheran Church at Nyman, Essex Fire and Rescue, or Heartland Hospice.  
Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.