Karin Edith Swanson

MADISON/BETTENDORF, IOWA-Karin Edith (Bengston) Swanson, age 81, of Madison and Bettendorf, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, in Middleton.  She was born on July 2, 1935, in Joliet, Ill., the daughter of Oscar and Edith (Johnson) Bengston.  She married the Rev. Erwin Swanson on June 17, 1956, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Joliet, Ill.  Karin loved her family; her husband, Erv, her children, their spouses and her grandchildren.  She had an insatiable curiosity and throughout her life loved to learn about many things, including faith, music, art, science, birds, nature and the environment, camping, American history, cooking, football, sewing, knitting, stitching, quilting, gardening, conservation and politics. She found joy in life and shared that with others. Karin gave generously of her time and talents at each Lutheran Church where she was a member. She is missed by all those whom she loved.  Karin is survived by her daughters, Karla Swanson and Sonya (Ted) Lindquist; sons, Erick (Kristi) Swanson and John (Beth) Swanson; grandchildren, Anna and Carl Lindquist, and Nathan, Zachary, Drake, Lydia and Caleb Swanson; brother and sister-in-law, John (Kay) Bengston; nephews, Loren Bengston and Kevin, Mark and Garth Swanson; and many beloved family members.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rev. Erwin Swanson; and many beloved family members.  A Funeral Service will be held at WEST MIDDLETON LUTHERAN CHURCH, 3763 Pioneer Rd., Verona, at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016, with the Rev. Bruce Loewenhagen presiding.  Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ELCA World Hunger Appeal, 8765 West Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631 or  www.elca.or/hunger.  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.