Alma Swanson

Alma Martha Meta Oswald was born on June 24, 1916 in New Ulm, MN. Alma was baptized on July 9, 1916, and later confirmed in the Lutheran faith on April 13, 1930, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in New Ulm. She attended St. Paul's Parochial School and graduated from Dr. Martin Luther High School on June 18, 1934. Alma continued her education by completing a Secretarial course at Calhoun Secretarial School in Minneapolis, MN and upon completion was employed by Somsen, Dempsey, Johnson and Somsen Jr. of New, Ulm. On April 26, 1946, Alma was united in marriage to Lemuel Oswald Swanson, and they lived and farmed in rural St. James, MN until retiring in 1985. Following their retirement they moved to an apartment in St. James. Lemuel died on November 25, 1992. Alma was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and Ladies' Aid of St. James. She also taught Sunday School for numerous years. Alma is survived by a daughter, Kathleen and her husband Gilbert Potter of Baltimore, MD; a son, Howard and his wife Sheri Swanson of St. James, MN; four grandchildren, Lindsey and Nathaniel Potter, and Jay and Kelly Swanson; a sister, Clara Wichmann of CA; a sister-in-law, Trudy Oswald of Edina, MN; many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sisters, Irma Otto and Hertha Schellmann; and two brothers, Hilton Oswald and Kurt Oswald.