Karen Swanson

Karen Swanson, of Dayton, Iowa, passed away at Grandview Care Center on Friday, August 8th, 2025.

Karen was born on September 18, 1944, in Le Mars, Iowa, to Ella and George Willer, and was raised on the family farm outside of Akron. She graduated from Le Mars High School in 1962, and attended the State University of Iowa (now the University of Iowa) where she earned her nursing degree in 1966. She was united in marriage to Julian Swanson in 1982, a union which produced two sons, Andy and Paul. The family resided for several years in Laurens where Julian was pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church until they moved to Dayton in 1989 when he accepted a call at Emanuel Lutheran Church.

During her nursing career, she served on an ambulance squad as well as a teaching nurse, worked in a delivery unit helping to bring new lives into the world, and ran the medical clinic in Dayton for several years where she was known for giving painless shots. After she medically retired following spinal fusion surgery, she remained active in her church and community, teaching adult Sunday school, serving on the library board, writing a column for The Dayton Leader, and being active in a morning coffee group and senior groups in town. During her time on earth, she became a dear friend to so many around her.

Karen is survived by her husband, Julian; son Andy Swanson of West Des Moines; son Paul Swanson of Dayton, brother Curtis Willer of Fort Collins, Colorado; and brother Rollin Willer of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She was preceded in death by her parents Ella and George Willer and her sister, Marilyn Thomsen.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at Grandview Care Center and Heartland Hospice for the care and love they provided in her final weeks, as well as all the friends and family who stopped by to visit or sit with her.

Visitation will be from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at Carson ~ Stapp Funeral Home in Dayton. Karen will be cremated following visitation. A celebration of life service for Karen will be held on her birthday, Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Dayton. Vicar Michael Gaffey will officiate. Burial of ashes will follow in the Dayton Cemetery. For online obituaries & condolences visit: www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com