Obituary of Roberta Bloomquist Swanson

Roberta LuEtta Bloomquist Swanson, Age 90, died on May 7, 2021, in Monument, Colorado.Roberta was born on August 18, 1930 on a farm near Harcourt, Iowa to Hilma Emmaline (Ott) and Rueben Oscar Bloomquist. Roberta grew up in the Swedish-American community of Boxholm, Iowa with her mother and grandmother, Bessie Ott, after her father was killed in an automobile accident when she was very young.Roberta met James Edward "Jim" Swanson at the Boxholm Swedish Methodist Church where she played the organ. She was in high school and he had just returned following discharge from the Navy after World War II. They were married on March 5, 1950 at the same church in Boxholm, Iowa. After college, the Swansons taught in several small Iowa towns. They then settled in Iowa City, Iowa where they lived for more than fifty years. A daughter, Roberta Ann, was born while they lived in Grand Junction, Iowa.Roberta taught elementary grades second and fourth before becoming a reading teacher. She taught reading for twenty-one years in Iowa City, most of that time at Coralville Central Elementary School. In 1982, Roberta was nominated by her peers and was recognized as "Teacher of the Year" by the Iowa City Education Association.Roberta enjoyed, first and foremost, her family. She cherished her two grandchildren, Jacqueline Joy "Jackie" and Adam James, and great-granddaughter, Madison Joy. She also enjoyed gardening and cooking, especially learning to cook the Swedish dishes that were part of their heritage. Roberta was known as a wonderful cook and a gracious hostess.Roberta was a 50+ year member of the First United Methodist Church of Iowa City. She was active in the women's groups within the church and helped with Sunday School and Bible School. Roberta was a nearly-50-year member of P.E.O. chapter KP in Iowa City. Roberta contributed many hours throughout her life to schools, her church, and as an election official.She and her husband enjoyed traveling, taking trailer and motor home expeditions across the U.S., and extending their trips internationally in their retirement years. She enjoyed attending concerts and theater performances.In 2018, Roberta and Jim moved to Monument, Colorado to be near their daughter and family.Roberta is survived by her husband of over seventy-one years, Jim; daughter, Roberta Ann Swanson Ross and son-in-law, Scott Ross of Monument, Colorado; grandchildren, Jackie Ross Armstrong (married to Dave Armstrong) of Iowa City, Iowa, and Adam Ross of Monument, Colorado, who were blessed to know her well into their adulthood; and great-granddaughter, Madison Armstrong, age 1.There will be no memorial service per Roberta's request. Her cremains will be interred with her ancestors in the Bloomquist family plot at Lawn Cemetery near Boxholm, Iowa at a future date.Memorial contributions in Roberta's memory may be made to one of her favorite projects: the P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, which provides need-based grants to women in the United States and Canada whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to support themselves and/or their families. https://donations.peointernational.org/ Events Final Resting Place Lawn Cemetery 221 East Avenue Boxholm, IA 50040