Lula Davies Swanson

Lula Lydia Hirschy Davies Swanson, aged 97, of Wayland, passed away Tuesday, October 11, 2011, at Parkview Home in Wayland, IA. She was born March 20, 1914, on the family farm six miles south of Wayland, the daughter of Joseph and Lydia Wagler Hirschy. She was a lifelong resident of the Wayland area, living 65 years in her east Wayland home before moving to the Parkview Apartments nine years ago. She attended Douglas and Elm country schools, and graduated from Wayland High School in 1932. She then attended Iowa Wesleyan College and received a teaching certificate, after which she taught at Pleasant Hill School near Rome, Iowa. Her first marriage in 1938 was to Homer Edward Davies, who passed away in 1948. In 1953 she married Willard Edward Swanson. Lula enjoyed many pastimes, including quilting, crocheting, embroidery and many kinds of handwork. In her lifetime, she pieced and quilted scores of quilts for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and for many others. She also loved gardening, birds, animals, and doing anything outdoors. She loved to travel and spent time in Minnesota and Arizona, as well as visiting Europe in 1987 with daughter Nancy to learn more about her ancestors and her heritage. Her legacy was her love of helping and sharing with others. Her faith was the foundation of her life. From the time early in life when she gave her life to the Lord, her interest was in sharing her belief in God and the promise of life after death. She grew up in the Sugar Creek Mennonite Church, was a member of the Wayland Methodist Church after marriage, and for many years was an active member of the Fern Cliff Evangelical Free Church. She taught Sunday School and Bible School at both the Methodist Church in Wayland and Fern Cliff Evangelical Free Church, and she was active in the Womens Missionary Society for which she contributed many hours of sewing and quilting. Survivors include husband Willard, three children, Nancy (John) Wendt, Dundee, IL, Deana (Michael) Dickerson, Plymouth, MN, and Annette (Daniel) Reese, Milton, WI; six grandchildren, David (Shannon), Robert (Jen), and Thomas (Stacey) Davies, Andrew (Carrie) Wendt, Elizabeth Reese (Dennis) Anderson, and Benjamin (Kristi) Reese; ten great-grandchildren, Alexander, Madeline, and Emma Davies, Parker and Dalton Davies, Will and Emery Davies, Patricia Rose Wendt, and Gabriela and Nathan Anderson, and sister Joyce Conrad. She was preceded in death by her first husband, and her son Bradley Davies, who died in 1995, her parents, grandson Christopher (Lillian) Wendt, and siblings Edith Blosser, Ila Lengacher, Frieda Bachman, Duwaine Hirschy, Elwyn Hirschy and Joannita Stauffer. The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, October 13th at Fern Cliff Evangelical Church in Wayland, IA. Funeral services will be Friday, October 14th at 10:30 a.m. at Fern Cliff Evangelical Church with Pastor Robert Spilger officiating. Burial will follow in the Wayland Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Fern Cliff Evangelical Free Church or the charity of your choice. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.