Margaret Elizabeth Swanson peacefully entered into the presence of her Lord July 13, 2016 at the age of 89. Marge was born January 25, 1927 in Portland Oregon to Swedish immigrants Hennie A. and Nelson M. Nelson. She attended schools and Temple Baptist Church through high school until the Nelson family moved to Turlock where Marge attended Modesto Junior College. Marge worked at Poultry Producers in Turlock where one day in 1947 she met a tall dark and handsome young man in a red hat, Donald Swanson, whom she soon married at Turlock Covenant Church (then Beulah Covenant). Pastor Victor Nyquist conducted the ceremony on September 13, 1947. Having been raised a city girl, Marge adapted well to country life on Swanson Road in Delhi, where she daily gathered eggs, strained and stored fresh milk from their cow, and prepared many meals of their own farm-raised beef for their family of six plus frequent family gatherings after church on Sundays. During farming and field operations, Marge kept the Swedish tradition of afternoon coffee for all, with a sweet something fresh from the oven.
When Marge and Don founded and built Swanson Almond Hulling together in 1967, Marge sat for hours around the clock at the conveyor belt picking out stray hulls and shells until working out of their home as Office Manager of the company. Marge also served on the PTA, Covenant Womens Circle, and worked as a Legal Secretary for attorney Gilbert Moody.
Marge was family centered. Family celebrations, Thanksgiving and Christmas, birthdays, and special events through the years even until only months before moving to Covenant Village with Don, were at “The Ranch” on Swanson Road. Her highest joy and gratitude to God for blessings bestowed was baking and cooking for family and friends who gathered around her tables. Hospitality and generosity were her hallmarks, along with her heartwarming smile, contagious laughter, listening, and comedic timing with her creative one-liners.
Marge was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 68 years Donald, their son Steve (Ginny) of Delhi, her sister Ruth Loomis (Byron), and her brother Harold Nelson (Beulah). Marge is survived by her son Jay Swanson (Carol) of Turlock, son Jerry Swanson (Patti) of San Diego, daughter Kathy Aldrich (Gwynn) of Livermore, and grandchildren Andrew Swanson (Anna) of Minnesota, Paul Swanson (Betsy) of Turlock, Scott Swanson (Jana) of Hilmar, Jamie Swanson (Cara) of Delhi, Christie Dalton (Adam) of Denair, Nelson Aldrich (Amanda) of Turlock, Emily Bennetch (Paul) of Stanford, and Andrew Aldrich (Katie) of Seattle, as well as 20 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at Turlock Memorial Park with a Graveside Service on Tuesday, July 19th at 11:15 a.m., with a Memorial Service at Turlock Covenant Church in mid-August, date and time to be determined.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Turlock Covenant Church Missions Fund, 316 S. Laurel Ave., Turlock CA 95380
