Sarah "Sally" Iverson (nee Swenson)

MONONA - Sarah “Sally” Iverson, nee Swenson, died peacefully on Jan. 14, 2024, at the beautiful age of 88. While she was still responsive, she continually stated, “I’ve had a good, good life,” and “I love you dearly.” Our mom loved so deeply, so we feel very fortunate that she was able to say those words in the end. We should all be so fortunate.

Sally was a wife, mom, grandmother, aunt, and friend to many. Anyone who knew Sally was likely the recipient of some of her cooking and baking as this was something very important to her. She recognized that the food she made and shared with others brought us together and nourished our bodies, as well as our souls.  In honor of her, it seems only fitting to write a, “Recipe for a Good Life” based on her experiences and values.

RECIPE FOR A GOOD LIFE

Serves: 1 person

Difficulty to prepare: Easy

Total time: Lifetime

Nutritional value: A rewarding, good life

Step 1: Preparing the Ingredients

· A few generous cups of kindness; preferably the genuine kind that comes from the heart

·1 heaping Tbsp of humility; be content and grateful for who you are, what you have, and your blessings

·1 Tbsp laughter; laugh and smile often. People remember that

·1 Tsp patience; may need to alter depending on the situation

·1 generous dash of generosity; give when you can and remember to see and value others

·1 quart of love; would recommend the love that comes from fostering a strong family, friends, and faith

·1 pint of hope and faith; life is never guaranteed to be easy, but there is joy and beauty to be found each day

·3 ounces of spontaneity; it’s fun to just go for it and say, “yes.”  You never know who you’ll meet and the fun you’ll have

Step 2: Mixing and Baking

·Add hard work and determination and mix vigorously daily.

·Bake at a very warm temperature; warmth is key here and should be applied to how you greet, treat, and care for others. Not only will that warmth make others feel better, but it will warm you too.

Step 3: Serving

·Once all ingredients are mixed and baked, spread it over the span of your life and joyously serve it to each and every person you meet.

Survivors include daughters, Julie (Bryan) Schultz, Jenny Schaefer, Amy (Kurt) Gehrke and Betsy (Darin) Powers; and son, Bruce (Mary) Iverson; along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Melissa (Jim), Charlee and Hadley Beltran; Ryan Schultz (Sara Draper); Zach and Abbie Schaefer; Tanor Gehrke; and Trey, Kadin, and Kaylee Powers, who especially loved to gather closely together around her dining room table.

In her heavenly home, she will joyously be joined and share meals with her husband, Allan “Charlie;” son-in-law, Robb Schaefer; parents, Ida and Ted Swenson; siblings, Helen (Burdette) Knight, Bud (Marion) Swenson, Irene Crary, Ann (Harold) Iverson, Jim (Jane) Swenson, John (Rosie) Swenson, Dick (Lorainne) Swenson and Tom (Vonnie) Swenson; the Iverson brother and sisters-in-law; as well as many nieces, nephews; and a dear companion, Jim Greenwald.

The world has certainly lost a bit of its zest and flavor. As a way to honor her life, please consider finding a way to do a random act of kindness to someone in need, add some food to the Little Food Pantry at the corner of Owen and Pheasant Road in Monona, or donate to The Salvation Army or St. Stephen’s Food Pantry.

A short funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. A celebration of life will follow the service at the VFW POST 7591, 301 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday.   

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420