Evelyn Mae Swanson

Evelyn Mae Swanson, 83, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, September 4, 2015, at Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 10, 2015, at All Saints Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids by Reverend John R. Flaherty. Valet parking will be available at the church. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2015, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, as well as 1 hour prior to the service. Burial: Cedar Memorial Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Evelyn was born February 5, 1932, in Cedar Rapids to Elmer and Hilda (Michel) Medinger. She started her career at Wilson Foods where she met her future husband of 60 years, John, on a blind date. They were married at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa on September 6, 1952. She later accepted a position at Iowa Manufacturing, retiring for her most important job of her life'raising her three children and grandmothering her six grandchildren. Most importantly, Evelyn was a super homemaker and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. After her children left Evelyn's well maintained nest, she also worked part-time at Sears and Montgomery Wards. She enjoyed spending time with family, dining out, shopping, and more recently, the restoration of her mother's home, now known as The Heart House in NewBo neighborhood. She is survived by her children, Stephen (Barb) Swanson, Susan Swanson (Russ Bramer), and Julie (Dean) Miller; six grandchildren, Zak (Liz) and Zane Swanson, Shawn (Jamie) Garringer and Krystal (William) Hunt, and Mandy and Nick Miller (Tiffany McCarty); four great-grandchildren, Ike, Abe, and Ted Swanson, and John Hunt; and her best friend since sophomore year at Immaculate Conception High School, Patricia Berg. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, John; sister, Nadine Konen; and nephew Mark Konen.