Obit: Swan, Melba Helen (1928 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Blomberg, Erickson, Gustafson, Linvick, Price, Swan

----Source: WIGM/WKEB Obituaries (Medford, WI) 12/20/2017

Swan, Melba Helen (Gustafson) (16 JUN 1928 - 15 DEC 2017)

Melba Helen Swan, 89, Town of Hill, Ogema, died at her home on Friday, December 15, 2017, while under the care of her family and flambeau Home Health and Hospice.

She was born in Medford, Wisconsin, on June 16, 1928, the daughter of Eddie and Alice (Erickson) Gustafson. She attended the Pinewood School in Ogema. She was the oldest of six children so following her schooling she worked for many years to help support her family.

She was married to Clifford Swan of February 3rd, 1956, in the Town of Hill. Following their marriage she partnered with Clifford and his brother David and wife Norma in the operation of Swan Tree Farm, and then in later years, following the deaths of Clifford and David, operated the farm for 10 years with her sister-in-law, Norma.

She was a member of the Ogema Baptist Church, of which her grandparents were Charter Members. At the church she served as a Deaconess, Secretary of the Willing Workers, and was a member of the BCW, the Baptist Christian Women.

She was also a member of the Spirit Homemakers and of the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Association. She was very dedicated to her family and was the caregiver for her grandparents, and later parents and mother-in-law. In her free time she enjoyed baking, especially rye bread, sharing her faith with her friends, traveling the USA and Central America, reading, flower gardening, and as a younger lady, swimming.

She is survived by six children, James (Patricia), Ogema, Andrew (Peggy), Ogema, Julie, Ogema, Christine (Daniel) Blomberg, Ogema, Daniel (Alise), Ogema, and Timothy, Milton, WI; by 15 grandchildren, Annika, Matthew, Ruth, Lauren, Linnea, Jordan, Cody, Ashley, Zackary, Grayson, Hunter, Chase, Nathaniel, Luke, and Victoria; by 12 great grandchildren, Breanna, Owen, Klara, Brinna, Micah, David, Samuel, Andrew, Aiden, Alexander, Ahnalie, and Lena; by three brothers, Leroy Gustafson, Ogema, Delbert (Debbie) Gustafson, Ogema, and John Gustafson, Ogema; and by one sister, Kathy (Mel) Linvick, Cudahy, WI.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford, on August 17, 1993; and is also preceded in death by one brother, Harold Gustafson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, December 23, at the Ogema Baptist Church with Pastor Rodney Price officiating. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services. Interment will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in the Town of Hill.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.heindlfuneralhome.com. 

The Heindl Funeral Home in Prentice is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.