- Date Of Birth: January 8, 1931
- Date Of Death: February 9, 2022
- State: Iowa
Eloise was born January 8, 1931, in Wausa, Nebraska, the daughter of Theodore and Elsie (Larsen) Seagren. They resided on a farm north of Wausa.
Eloise met Robert “Bob” Sward in Lincoln, Nebraska, and the two were married on September 1, 1956, in Lincoln. Bob was enlisted in the Navy and soon thereafter stationed in Oakland, California, where Eloise taught school while Bob was deployed on a Naval vessel. Their son Terry Alan was born in Oakland. Eloise and Bob returned to Lincoln, in 1957 where they both pursued careers in the education field—Eloise as a teacher and Bob as an administrator. Three children were born in Lincoln: Julie Gwen, Lori Kristine, and Ricky Eugene.
In 1967, they moved to Colo, Iowa, where Bob took the Elementary Principal job at Colo Schools. In 1969, they moved to Sully, Iowa, where they resided on an acreage. Eloise taught fourth grade at the Kellogg Elementary School, Kellogg, Iowa, and later at Berg Elementary School in Newton, Iowa. She was a gifted teacher with a passion for her students. She retired in 1998 after 31 years of teaching.
Eloise and Bob enjoyed many years on the “farm” with large gardens, the produce of which they canned and shared generously with others.
Eloise was extremely devoted and vested in her children, grandchildren and great-grand children’s lives. The ripples of her love, patience and grace are felt throughout the generations of her family and friends. And most importantly she lived her life as a servant-hearted leader who led with a quiet strength. In addition, she had a multi-page prayer list that she prayed through daily for the needs and concerns of others. Eloise was a great listener, always lending an empathetic ear. The members of St.
Eloise is survived by her children: Terry (Linda) Sward, Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Julie (Stuart) Zurcher, Newton, Iowa; Lori (Tim) Zylstra, Sully, Iowa; Ricky (Jackie) Sward, Monument, Colorado. Grandchildren: Josiah (Alexandrea) Sward, Alyssa Sward, Kristen (Justin) Burmeister, Robert (Emily) Ritter, Anne (Pheng) Vang, Lindsey Ritter, Benjamin (Jennifer) Zylstra, Bethany (Chase) Tanke, Bart (Kasey) Zylstra, Amanda Sward, Lucas (Mikaila Wahl) Sward. Step-grandchildren: Spencer Wenck, Tate (Tristina) Wenck, Lucas (Catie) Zurcher, April (DJ) Miles, Amber (Tyler) Mathis, Anna Zurcher, and 25 great-grandchildren and step-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert E. Sward; brother, Alan T. Seagren; sister-in-law, Sharon A. Seagren; brother-in-law, Alfred W. Sward; and sister-in-law, Roberta J. Sward.
