Irma M. Swallow, 97

Irma M. Swallow, 97, passed away Sept. 1, 2008, at her home in Reynolds Township, Minn., where she resided with her daughter, Betty Elston.

Irma Maude Marie Stevenson Swallow was born on Nov. 28, 1910, at Wyndmere, N.D., the eighth of nine children born to William and Margaret (Canham) Stevenson. The family farmed in North Dakota until moving to western Montana in the early 1920s.

She married James L. Swallow on Aug. 24, 1930, at Corvallis. The couple celebrated their 75th anniversary on Aug. 24, 2005. They farmed near Hamilton, where Irma worked as a bookkeeper.

At age 57 she returned to school, receiving her licensed practical nurse degree. She worked at the Daly Memorial Hospital in Hamilton and later helped at the Quartzsite Arizona Medical Center for many years.

Irma had a remarkable ability to memorize and recite epic poems and stories, which she did daily for family and friends.

She was very active in the Baptist church, teaching, and choir and ladies groups. Many years were spent 'snow birding' in Arizona and summering in the Kalispell area, where she helped James garden and attend farmers market weekly. She was very outgoing and made friends along the way. She will be missed greatly.

She is survived by sons, Gene A. Swallow of Quartzsite, Ariz., and Donald J. Swallow of ChaingRai, Thailand; daughter, Betty Elston, of Long Prairie, Minn.; 24 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, a brother and sisters-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Hazel Morgan and Mabel Herman; brothers, Milford, Hubert, Warren, Nobel, Leslie and Harry Stevenson; her husband, James; daughter, Marion; son, Duane; and grandsons, Scott and Aaron Swallow.

Cremation has taken place and private memorial services will be held at a later date for both James and Irma in Hamilton, where they will be interred together.