Helen I. Swanson — UPDATED
Helen I. Swanson, 98, Rochester, was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017 at Hickory Creek at Rochester.
On March 31, 1919, in Logansport, Helen Irene Woolley was born. She was a treasured daughter of Arthur and Lillie Truax Woolley. She was one of 12 children.
Helen and Carl E. Swanson were married on Aug. 1, 1936 in Rochester. They shared 67 years together. Sadly, he passed away on April 4, 2003.
Left to cherish Helen’s memory are a daughter, Patricia “Tish” Blackburn of Rochester; son-in-law, Paul Howard of Rochester; seven grandchildren: Brad Howard and wife Laura; Jeff Howard and wife Kelly; Paula Scholl and husband Butch; Andy Howard and companion Susan Mahedy; Julie Calvert and husband Marc; Doug Blackburn, and Kenneth “KJ” Blackburn and wife Amy; 16 great grandchildren; 26 great-great grandchildren; a sister, Alma Watkins, of Lafayette; a brother, Donald Woolley of Phoenix, Ariz.; a sister-in-law, Mary Woolley of Naples, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding Helen in death are her parents; husband; a daughter, Phyllis Howard on Oct. 4, 2016; a granddaughter, Selena Jo Howard; a son-in-law, Kenneth Blackburn in 1992; four sisters: Thelma Thomas, Irma Weiger, Deloris Rollins, Hazel Woolley; and five Woolley brothers: Walter, Willard, Kenneth, Robert and Delbert.
Pastor Kerry O’Brien will officiate services. Interment will be in the Athens Hoover Cemetery.