Lona Swain, age 74, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died Wednesday, December 13, 2006 of injuries received in an automobile accident.

Services for Mrs. Swain will be held Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, with Reverend Bruce Lesemann officiating.  Burial will be in the Storm Lake Cemetery.  The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Friends may call on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake, where the family will be present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.   Memorials in Lona’s honor may be directed to the Concordia Lutheran School, in care of St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake.

Lona Jean Hansen was born August 13, 1932 in Galva, Iowa to Ferd and Tena (Radke) Hansen. She was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church in Galva and as a youth, confirmed her faith in that same congregation. She received her early education in the Galva School, and graduated from Galva High School in 1950. She continued her education, graduating from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake with a degree in education.

On June 24, 1958, Lona was united in marriage to Milton Larry Swain at St. John Lutheran Church in Galva. Their union was blessed with two children: a daughter, Julie, and a son, Scott.

A devoted wife and mother, Lona kept a warm and loving home for her family. She taught school for many years at schools in Battle Creek, Sulfur Springs and Storm Lake, until her retirement in 1995.  She also helped in whatever capacity she was needed at Concordia Lutheran School in Storm Lake. Her students received the same devotion and care she showed to all the people who crossed her path in life. 

Lona was a faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and was very involved in the life and activities of her church.

Lona loved to shop, enjoyed sewing, reading and was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan. She treasured all the time she spent with her beloved family, but her grandchildren held a special place in her heart.  Her caring and kind ways will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 48 years, Milt Swain of Storm Lake; her daughter, Julie and husband Dan Tjaden of Storm Lake; her son, Scott and wife Kari Swain of Altoona, Iowa;  grandson Ethan Swain and granddaughter Ellen Swain of Altoona; sister Elmira Alderson of Schaller, Iowa; extended family and a host of friends.

Preceding Lona in death were her parents; her brothers-in-law David Alderson, Myron Swain and Ronnie Swain; and two sisters-in-law: Helen Swain and Toddy Swain.