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Swanson, Wanda Bartel (1923-1998)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 28 May 1998 p. 9
Birth date: 1923
text of obituary:
WANDA BARTEL SWANSON
Wanda Bartel Swanson was born Aug. 19, 1923, in Newton, Kan., to John and Susie Friesen Bartel of Hillsboro, Kan. Her many years in the classroom began as a first grader in Gnadenau country school near Hillsboro, where she returned later as a teacher. Other early teaching positions included Bruderthal rural school and Macksville Elementary School.
After her graduation from Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., in 1949, she taught in Mulvane, Kan., and San Bernardino, Fresno and Redding, Calif., retiring in 1978 after 33 years of teaching. She did graduate work at Colorado State Teachers College in Greeley, Colo.
She married Alfred Swanson on July 26, 1964, at First Mennonite Church of Hillsboro. Many lives were touched by their partnership through their ministry of visitation to the sick and elderly, not only in the area of their residence but in their many travels. Wanda’s love of travel manifested itself through a variety of trips taken in this country as well as Europe.
She was an inspiration to many. Her gift of friendship was bestowed on all who met her. Her hospitality reached beyond family with her home providing a warm welcome to visiting ministers, missionaries and friends.
Wanda was baptized and received into the membership of First Mennonite Church of Hillsboro in her youth. Her life reflected her commitment to her Lord, and together she and Al were always deeply involved in the life of the church, initially in Redding and later at Calvary Baptist Church in Turlock, Calif. She was a valued Sunday school teacher of children, served as a deaconess, enjoyed singing in the choir and was an invaluable asset to the women’s ministries of the church.
She died May 5, 1998. Her husband preceded her in death in 1995.
She is survived by three sisters, Elda Bartel of Goessel, Kan., Rosa Thimm of Beatrice, Neb., and Helen Bargen of North Newton, Kan.; and a brother, Johnnie Bartel of Hillsboro.