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Swanson well-known volunteer

By Jolene Farley
After many active years, 89-year-old Opal Swanson continues to volunteer in the Hills community in many different capacities.

When Opal and her husband, Art, moved into a home across the street from Tuff Memorial Home in 1977, Swanson volunteered at the Tuff Home. "They needed help all the time," said Swanson.

She wrote letters and Christmas cards for the residents, played games, gave manicures, helped on outings and at parties. She was soon appointed chairwoman of the Tuff Home Auxiliary. She also did Meals-on-Wheels for several years until she broke her leg.

Swanson was continually active in Bethlehem Lutheran Church organizations and events. She taught Sunday school, was chairwoman of Bethlehem Lutheran Church Women and served on the Cemetery Association.

She said things are not like they used to be. "The younger people are busy working and with their families."

She volunteered extensively until her husband's health became so poor she had to care for him at home. He passed away in January of this year.

Swanson and her husband have four children Mary Herr, David, and twin boys Steven and Stuart. David and his wife, Nancy, live on the family farm south of Hills. Opal's grandfather wanted the land kept in the family, so the Swansons were persuaded to move from Valley Springs back to Hills.

Swanson reminisces about life before she married. She became a teacher or attended "normal training" as it was called back then.

She taught 24 students in various grades in a country school north of Beaver Creek for five years.
She walked one and one-half miles to the schoolhouse no matter what the weather from the home of a family she stayed with during the week.

Teachers tended their own coal fires, cleaned the schoolhouse and took care of the outdoor toilet. Swanson said there was a lot of preparation needed to teach the different grade levels. She only went home on the weekends, when her parents or Art picked her up. "You were kept busy," said Swanson.

Swanson continues to volunteer for Bethlehem Lutheran Church by delivering prayer booklets and contributes to the community whenever possible.

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