Elma Swanson

Elma M. Swanson, shed her earthly encumbrances and went to be with her Lord on June 29, 2011 at Samaritan Hospital surrounded by her devoted and loving family. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 11, 2011 at Pioneer Memorial Gardens. A Memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m., July 11th at Kayser's Chapel. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory, Moses Lake.

Elma was born on July 13, 1931 to Richard and Mary (Jeske) Ottmar to become the newest member of one of Grant County's oldest pioneer families.

Elma met Don Swanson in 1949, and they were married August 8, 1950. Don and Elma formed a farming partnership with her father, Richard Ottmar, brother, Harvey Ottmar and uncle, Emanuel Ottmar. They owned and operated the former "Farm in a Day" until the early 1960's when Don and Elma ventured into the automobile business. They worked side by side at Don Swanson Motors until Don's death in 1991. The immediate family operated the business until 1993 when the business was sold.

Elma greatly enjoyed gardening, travel, all needlecrafts, painting and baking. Elma played a mean game of pinochle. She loved animals of all kinds.

Elma is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Harvey and June Ottmar; daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Paul Blazer; son and daughter-in-law, Rich and Chris Swanson; three grandchildren, Holli Blazer, Moses Lake, Jacob and wife Kristy Swanson, New York and Katie Swanson of Moscow, ID; and one great grandson, Cole, New York; 2 brother-in-laws Kenneth and Sarah Swanson and Gordon Swanson; two sisters-in-law, Carol and George Grindberg and Tori and Pat Haddican.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Mary Ottmar and her husband, Don Swanson.

Her bright smile and gentle spirit will be sorely missed and forever remembered by many who knew and loved her deeply.