ELON SWANSON
Shorty (Elon) Swanson, son of Earl Ruben and Hazel Agatha (Irwin) Swanson, was born on June 15, 1924 in Palmer, Nebraska.
Shorty grew up at Palmer and served his country in the US Army from April 17, 1945 until he was honorably discharged on October 28, 1946. Shorty married Mary Louise Myers on February 3, 1945 in St. Paul, Nebraska. To this union two children were born, Louis and Helen.
For over 20 years, Shorty worked at the state hospital in Woodward as an assistant herdsman. In the mid 1970’s Shorty and Mary Lou moved to Mount Ayr where Shorty worked as a custodian at the Mount Ayr Community Schools.
Shorty loved to hunt and fish. His fishing partners included grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and friends including Frank Dredge. Shorty loved to play cards and pitch in particular. He was very good at pitching horseshoes and won tournaments. He enjoyed woodworking and he loved his coffee club at Mitchell Drug Store. Shorty was a life-time member of Ringgold Post #172, American Legion, in Mount Ayr.
Shorty passed away at Clearview Home on December 3, 2014. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Mary Lou on August 3, 2006; sister Helen Swanson and sister-in-law LaVera Swanson.
Survivors include his two children, Louis (wife Cheryl) Swanson of Jefferson, Iowa and Helen Jean (husband Charles) Long of Mount Ayr, Iowa; five grandchildren Eric (Kathy) Long, Scott (Jane) Swanson, Allen (Cheryl) Long, Ret Major Michael (Kelley) Long and Pamela (Terry) Sullivan; 13 great-grandchildren Brandon Long, Kelsea Long, Savannah Long, Blake Long, Amber Sullivan, Brady Long, Shaun Sullivan, Blaine Long, Mallory Swanson, Eric Long, Cody Swanson, Brittany Costello and Jake Costello; two great-great-grandchildren Elliott Long and Zaydon Gates; two brothers Marvin Swanson of St. Paul, Nebraska and Carl (Cindy) Swanson of South Carolina; other relatives and friends.
Services were held Friday, December 5, 2014 at the Watson Armstong Funeral Home with Pastor Bill Armstrong officiating.
Musicians were Nancy Sackett, Carol Ann McCreary and Barbie Belzer.
Active casketbearers were Eric Long, Scott Swanson, Allen Long, Blake Long, Brady Long, Eric Long and Brandon Long.
Honorary casketbearers were Michael Long, Pamela Sullivan, Kelsea Long, Savannah Long, Amber Sullivan, Shaun Sullivan, Blaine Long, Mallory Swanson, Cody Swanson, Brittany Costello, Jake Costello, Elliott Long and Zaydon Gates.
Military Rites were by the Ringgold Post #172 Iowa Honor Gaurd Unit.
A memorial fund has been established to Ringgold Post #172 American Legion and HCI Care Services in Mount Ayr.
