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Note: !On history Lucille Wimer sent me it says: "Gus came to this country in 1880 when ten years old and lived in Oakland, Nebraska before going to Wausa, Nebraska in 1892. Following their wedding, the couple boarded a special Masonit train to San Franciso, California." !More history from Lucille: "Gus came to the United States in 1880 and first lived at Oakland, Nebraska until 1892, when he came to Wausa and started a general mercantile store which he conducted there until retirement. Both were very active in Masonic and Eastern Star work and held state offices. They owned (and still did in 1958) a farm near Wausa and Gus was connected with the bank there." !Obituary notice from Lucille Wimer: "Monday afternoon, the citizens of Wausa gathered at the Community Auditorium to pay their lasts respects to one of our townsmen, Mr. G. E. Swanson, who passed away at his home in Wausa on Monday, March 31st, at about 11:30 p.m. A profusion of wreaths, bouquets and cut flowers adorned the casket and the rostrum of the auditorium, which in their silent manner spoke of the esteem in which the departed was held by his friends and townsmen. !Mr. Swanson was one of Wausa's highly respected citizen. He has made his home here for more than fifty years and has always been friend to man. Until his retirement from active business life, he was one of Wausa's leading merchants, and the Swanson Store was always known for its high quality merchandise. !Mr. Swanson came to Wausa in younger days, and in those early times was a member of the Wausa ball team, the "Wausa Lily's", the boys being decked in bright red ball suits. He mostly played centerfield, if our memory is correct. !Reverend H. G. Langley, pastor of the local Methodist Church was in charge of the services, first at the home at l:30 and at the Community Auditorium at 2:00 p.m. He was assisted by Paster N. Bengtson of the local Mission Church. Reverend Langey delivered the funeral sermon, while Pastor Bengston opened with Scripture reading and closed with the benediction. Pall bearers were E. L. Swanson, C. A. Coop, H. J. Bornholdt, Dr. B. F. Johnson, Melvin Lindahl and W. I Thomas.. !The following obituary was read at the services at the auditorium: "Gus Emil Swanson, a resident of Wausa, Nebraska since 1892, passed away in his Wausa home 31 March 1947, aged 76 years, four months and twenty-four days. He came to the United States, direct to Oakland, Nebraska, when a ten year old boy, with Andrew T. Beckman, with whom he made his home while attending school and working faithfully as a clerk, preparing to become a merchant. His opportunity came in 1892. That year he came to Wausa and opened a General Merchantile Store. From that time he was an active merchant in Wausa untl he retired in 1920, except for a period of about two years, 1919 to 1921, when for health reasons he was out of the store and lived part of the time in California. Even after he retired from the store he continued in business as Vice President of the re-organized Commercial State Bank and a member of its Board of Directors until his death. !31 August 1904, G. E. as he was commonly called, was united in marriage with Mary Nellie Peterson, in Vermillion, Clay County, South Dakota and for the wedding journey boarded the Masonic Special train in Omaha that took them to San Franciscso, California. !Mr. Swanson was well known among the Masonic fraternity, especially in northeast Nebraska. He was made a Master Mason in Bloomfield, Nebraska, in 1898 and became a Charter Member of Wausa Lodge No. 251 when it was organized 13 November 1900. He continued advancing in Masonry, joining the Commandery in Bloomfield and later transferring his membership to Tangier Temple, Norfolk, Nebraska. So great was his interest in Masonry, that, at the time of his passing, he was an active member of all the several bodies of the order to which through the years he had united. He belonged to the Omaha Shrine and was Charter member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Wausa. !In the Swanson family in Sweden there were the father and the mother, two sons and one daughter. When Gus left home for America, he said "good bye" to his mother and sister for the last time, for soon both had passed away, the sister dying in her early teens. His father came to visit him in Wausa about the year 1895 and returning to his home, spent his last days in Sweden. His brother John Augustus, came to America and worked for a few years in Omaha where he was taken ill and died in 1907. His body was brought to Wausa and buried in Woodlawn cemetery. Thus the bodies of the brothers, John Augustus and Gus Emil will rest together in America while the others of the family are interred in their native land across the sea. !Our fellow townsman for more than a half-century was always a highly respected citizen. He was confirmed in early life in the Lutheran Church. He was a loyal and consciencious booster for his home town. As a pregressive businessman he early saw, that town and country citizens should advance together. Cooperation was his motto. He was loved by all, and especially did he delight to call the children his friends. !In the home he was a kind and loving husband. His married life was of unusual happiness and companionship. The devotion of each to the other will long be remembered by those who knew them best. In addition to the sorrowing companion, G. E. will be greatly missed by his many friends and neighbors." !Janis Johnson, Lorna Lou Bornholdt, Helen Anderson, VerNelie Olson, DeLoris Olson and Doris Jean Johnson were the flower girls. !Interment was made in the Woodlawn cemetery, the Masonic Lodge being in charge of the committal services. !The Gazette joins with the folks of the community in extending deepest sympathy to Mrs. Swanson."
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