Alta Luana “Lu” Swanson, age 85, our wonderful mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 21, 2017.  Lu was the first of five children born to Delwin and Geneve Bowman of Morgan Utah.  Raised in the lovely Morgan valley, after graduating from Morgan High School, Lu worked at Hill Airforce Base where she met her eternal sweetheart, Melvin James “Jim” Swanson, of Newberry Michigan.  Jim and Lu were married July 1st, 1954 and soon afterward, moved to Michigan to begin their life together. 

Lu was an amazing mother of 4 children.  She loved being a wife, mother, grandmother, keeping her home, baking, canning, sewing, and retired after 23 years with Emmett County Planning and Zoning.  Lu was a gracious and caring mother and grandmother, quick with one of her funny comments and smile to brighten your day.  She was there with a loving shoulder to cry on, kind words of understanding and support, and always had her door open to any of her family.

Lu was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in various responsibilities in the Petoskey Branch.  Her testimony of the Savior and loving example compelled others to live the gospel.  On June 13th, 1975 Jim and Lu were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple.  It is with much sadness that we say goodbye to our kind mother and grandmother.  While we will miss her very much, we are grateful to know she has been reunited with loved ones who have missed her for many years. 

Lu is survived by her four children, Sue Ann Hardy (Sherry Pardee) of Petoskey MI, Mary Kay (Ken) Stonehouse of Conway MI, Peter Swanson of East Jordan MI, Richard (Suzanne) Swanson of Farmington UT, 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, and sisters Iris (Robert) Davis and Betty Gray of Morgan Ut.

Lu was preceded in death by her husband Melvin, her parents, and siblings Ronald Bowman and Judy Bowman.

Lu’s family would like to thank the staff of Boulder Park Terrace in Charlevoix for their care and kindness over the last year and a half.

Viewing and funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 30th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 707 Alcan Dr., Petoskey, MI.  The viewing will be from 9:00 to 10:30 am, with funeral services at 11:00am.  Interment – Forest Home Cemetery, Newberry Michigan. Condolences may be given at www.penzienfh.com.

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