Loretta Irene Swanson Loretta Swanson died Oct. 11 at Maryhouse in Pierre. Services will be at 10 a.m., Oct. 14 in the Grace Bible Church, Highmore, with Pastor Steve O'Dell and the Rev. Ray Schatz officiating. Loretta Irene Swanson was born in Clinton, Iowa March 18, 1901 to Patrick Joseph and Marie (Zismer) Lawlor. She attended grade schools in Iowa, Mitchell, Mill and graduated from Miller High School in 1919. After working for a year in the Hand County agent's office, she attended Nettleton College, Sioux Falls, and was employed as a secretary in the Sioux Falls law firm of Simon, Johnson and Hanson. In 1922 she married Lisle Swanson in Woonsocket. They made their hom in Highmore for 60 years until her husband's death when she moved to Pierre. Mrs. Swanson was an active member of the Congregational Church in Highmore where she served as Sunday school teacher, and superintendent, trustee, member of the Tri-Church Council and president of the Women's Fellowship. She was also responsible for the church pledge drives for many years. She was president of the American Legion Auxiliary, past worthy matron and organist for the Order of the Eastern Star and past president of Chapter T, P.E.O. She loved sports and was proud to have been a first string guard on the undefeated girls' basketball team at Miller High. She loved music and enjoyed recounting stories of the days when she played the piano for silent movies. She loved to laugh and was happiest when she was entertaining friends in her home. She loved her in-laws and her grandchildren and had a talent for making each new member of her family feel special. Her community service included being troop and patrol leader and committee member for the Girl Scounts for 20 years, chairman of the Red Cross and the first chairman for the cancer drives in Hyde County. She was also active in politics for 40 years, service as central committee woman, precinct committee woman and Hyde County vice-chairman of the Republican party. In 1967 the South Dakota State Mothers Committee chose her as an alternate for the South Dakota Mother of the Year. Mrs. Swanson's involvement with those in need prompted her to organize a fund drive in Highmore which allowed girls to attend Girl Scout camp during the 1930's who couldn't have afforded it otherwise. She also instituted the first library program for shut-ins with the Girls Scouts providing delivery and pick-up service. During World War II she not only worked as a volunteer cutting and sewing garments needed by the Red Cross but she wrote to every serviceman from Hyde County, telling them the news from home and giving a word of encouragement. As a person whose nature it was to help others, she continued to bring cheer to her neighbors in Maryhouse Nursing Home after she became a resident in 1984. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Charles L. and Sandy Swanson, Pierre; three daughters and sons-in-law, Maxine and E.F. Fisher, Zearing, Iowa; Merrie and Marshall Miller, Pierre,; Harriet and Dallas Streets, Gillete, Wyo.; a sister-in-law, Louise Swanson, Highmore; 20 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and five brothers and sisters. Interment will be in the Highmore City Cemetery following the services. Luze Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Pierre (SD) Times 12 Oct 1988 ------------ Rites Held for Lisle Swanson Funeral services were held in the Masonic Temple, Highmore, Tuesday, for Lisle Swanson who died at St. Mary's Hospital, Pierre, Saturday at the age of 88 years, six months and one day. The Rev. Orland Sloat officiated and burial was in the Highmore City Cemetery. Pallbearers were Pat Cowan, Orris Day, Harold Bawdon, Richard Straight, Gary McDonald and Gerlad McGirr. Charles Lisle Swanson was born March 25, 1893, in Highmore to Charles Peter and Harriet Brewer Swanson. His early education was in the Highmore schools and he was the first young man to be graduated from Highmore High School. He then taught for a year at the Wells rural school before enrolling in South Dakota State College in 1912. In 1913 he transferred to the University of South Dakota for a year before returning to Highmore to open an automobile dealership for Saxons, Overlands and Chevrolets. After spending a year as a cadet in the Army Air Service during World War I, he again came back to Highmore to work as cashier in the First National Bank. On September 28, 1922 he was married to Loretta Lawlor. He ran the auto repair shop servicing Fords for the Ray Brothers garage and also did custom threshing for farmers in Hyde county, later taking over the management of the Swanson family farm properties. Until his retirement in 1959, he ran his own ranching operation in Hyde county. For many years, Lisle served as a member and chairman of both the Hyde County Commisioners and the Highmore Board of Education. He was also a charter member and past post commander for Frank Vopat Post of the American Legion and a 60-year member of the Masons and a Shriner. Survivors include his widow; one son, Dr. Charles L. Swanson, Pierre; three daughters, Mrs. E. F. Fisher (Maxine) Zearing, Iowa; Mrs. Marshall C. Miller (Merrie), Pierre, and Mrs. Dallas Streets (Harriett), Gillete, Wyo.; 20 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, a brother, Wayne Swanson, Highmore, and two sisters, Murial Sewright and Bernice Swanson of Long Beach, Calif. Highmore (SD) Herald 1 Oct 1981