Joyce Karen Swanson
Joyce Karen Swanson passed away peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus on October 7, 2014 in Innisfail, with her husband Peter and son Kevin at her side.
Karen was born April 22, 1939 in Didsbury, to George (Bob) and Mae Somers, and grew up on a farm in the Carstairs area. After completing high school, she entered nurse’s training at the Calgary General Hospital and later worked in hospitals in Calgary, Three Hills and Turner Valley/Black Diamond.
On June 3, 1961, Karen married Peter Swanson and they lived in Calgary and Three Hills before settling in Okotoks where they raised their family. They later moved to Calgary. On Karen’s retirement from nursing, she and Peter moved to the Aberdeen district near Innisfail where they developed their acreage.
Karen was very active in her home, church and community. Her children and grandchildren received her knitted afghans and sewing gifts of clothing and quilts. She prized her flower beds and large garden. Her gifts of leadership and service added to such organizations as Pioneer Girls, Vacation Bible School, Figure Skating and the Aberdeen Welfare Workers.
Karen leaves to mourn her loving husband Peter, sons Kevin (Cheryl), Trevor and Tim (Lily) Moore, and daughter Tina (Dave Cripps), seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Elaine Snyder and Sandra Somers, and three brothers, Cyril, Keith and Lorne Somers; brothers-in-law Robert Sheath Willington and Herb Sheath, and sister-in-law Barb Swanson. In addition, she leaves an extended family of nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Karen was predeceased by her parents, two infant siblings Lorna and Graham, nephew Kent Snyder, and brother-in-law Tom Swanson.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 14 at 1:00 pm in the Innisfail Baptist Church, 5204 Spruce Road, Innisfail, with Reverend Len Nation officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to the Rosefield Centre, Innisfail. Heartland Funeral Services, Ltd., Innisfail entrusted with arrangements. www.heartlandfuneralservices.com