The family of Steven Peter Swanson, 73 announces his passing on Sunday, December 10, 2023, in Fort Myers, FL.
Steve was born on December 5, 1950, to Oscar and Lillian Swanson, then of Storm Lake, IA. The family moved to Spencer, IA in 1956 where he grew up. He graduated from Spencer High School in 1969. He then attended the University of Iowa, where he earned his B.A. degree in Political Science in 1973. Steve continued to further his education at Iowa, earning his master’s in accounting and law degree in 1976.
In the summer of 1967 Steve met the love of his life, Julie Cory, at Lake Okoboji. They were married in Spencer, IA on August 10, 1974. After passing the Iowa Bar in 1976, Steve and Julie moved to Burlington, IA where he practiced law at Dailey, Dailey, Ruther, Bauer and Schulte. The firm would eventually be renamed to Lawyers: Swanson, Gordon, Benne, Clark & Kozlowski, where Steve was a Senior Partner until his retirement in 2014.
Steve was an active member of the Burlington community, serving roles on the boards of the Burlington Library Foundation, the Burlington YMCA, Hope Haven, and the Special Needs Foundation. He was a past member of the church council of Messiah Lutheran Church in Burlington, served on the Finance Committee for the Fiddlesticks Country Club in Fort Myers, FL and past President of the Burlington Golf Club and the Highlands Homeowners Association for his winter home.
After Steve’s retirement, he and Julie escaped the Iowa winters and became snowbirds in Fort Myers, FL. There, he enjoyed many rounds of golf while living in the Fiddlesticks Golf community. They were amid relocating permanently from Burlington to Fort Myers, where Steve looked forward to perfecting his golf swing, when he passed away unexpectedly.
If Julie was the love of his life, Steve’s son Andy, born in 1978 and Brice, born in 1981 were the pride of his life. A stream of human richness proceeded from both as daughters-in-law Beth and Liz joined their family in 2005 and 2007. Four grandchildren would later follow-Madeline in 2010, Alexandra & Lars in 2013 and Annika in 2015. To understand their place in Steve’s life, one need only to look at any picture of him with any one of the grandchildren. If golf had any competition in Steve’s life, it was his grandchildren.
Steve was the rock of the Swanson family. He was not a fan of board games or card games, but he would play endless rounds of UNO Attack or the Ladybug game with the grandkids. Steve enjoyed cooking with Julie and had become quite the chef with one of his specialties being delicious corn chowder. He had a wonderful sense of humor and inherited the famous Swanson laugh that carries on in his two boys.
Steve is survived by his wife of 49 years, Julie of Burlington; his sons Andrew (Liz) of Sterling, VA and Brice (Beth) of Blythewood, SC; his grandchildren Madeline, Alexandra, Lars and Annika; his brothers Michael (Judith) Swanson of Lake Oswego, OR and Charles (Kim) Swanson of Coralville, IA, his brother-in-law, William (Betty) Cory of Manning, SC and numerous nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Lillian Swanson, his sister Rebecca Gould, his parents-in-law Dr Max and Lois Cory, and brother-in-law, Max Cory, Jr.
A celebration of Steve’s life will be held on Friday, December 29th from 2-4pm at the Burlington Golf Club. A private burial will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Steve’s memory to the Burlington Library Foundation or the Burlington Area YMCA.
David Lee Steward, 75, of Burlington, died Sunday, December 17, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City.
Born September 21, 1948, in Ft. Madison, IA, he was the son of Tony Lee and Betty Ann Dressler Steward. On January 4, 2000, he married Brenda “Kara” Leatherman in Dubuque, IA.
David worked as a touring musician, playing all over the U.S. and Canada for 25 years. When he wasn’t touring, he worked as a safety coordinator for various gas plants in Canada and for the DOT in the U.S.
He was of the Christian faith. He was a past member of First Christian Church and attended Lee Rand Baptist Church in Taylor, SC. He loved music, reading books, and watching wrestling; of which he was a big fan. He played bass guitar, rhythm guitar, and recorded over a dozen records and C.D.s in his career.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda “Kara” Steward of Burlington; daughter, Debi (Shane) Morgan of Fountain Inn, SC; brother, Steve M. (Nomi) Steward of Des Moines; two sisters, Rebecca Fenton and Carolyn (Kenny) Van Order both of Burlington; and sister-in-law, Lori Walsh-Steward of Burlington.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ronald Steward.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
Visitation with the family to receive friends will be from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM Friday, December 22, 2023 at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street.
The memorial service for Mr. Steward will be 2:00 PM Friday, December 22, 2023, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street with Pastor Jeff Gowen officiating.
A memorial has been established for the American Kidney Fund.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting David’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Lois L. (Schmidt) Hookom, 86, of Burlington, Iowa, died Saturday, December 16, 2023, at her home.
Born on May 5, 1937, in Burlington, Iowa, she was the daughter of Lawrence C. and Ruby M. (Helmuth) Schmidt. She married William “Bill” D. Hookom on November 26, 1955, in Monmouth, Illinois. He preceded her in death on March 25, 2015.
Lois worked for Northwestern Bell and later worked for Winegard in sales and in the mailroom as a supervisor for 33 years until her retirement in 1990. She then worked part time for the Burlington Art Center for 7 years. She was a member of the Burlington Art Guild. Her love for art carried into crafting with her sisters when they would all be together. The three sisters would all sit down and craft for hours. Lois loved to travel. She and her late husband Bill would pack up their camper and head out traveling. You could always rely on Lois having her camera. She took pictures of everything she saw and loved. If Lois wasn’t traveling you could find her at the cabin, boating on the Mississippi River. She especially enjoyed visiting with her sister Wanda in Dubuque or having coffee with her sister Dorothy here in Burlington.
She is survived by many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two sisters: Wanda Butts and Dorothy Patrick.
Per her wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.
Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 22, at Lunning Chapel, where the family will meet friends. A memorial service will follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Dean Graber officiating. Burial will be held at a later date.
Memorials have been established for the Art Center of Burlington or Des Moines County Humane Society.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com.
Joan Connie Potsick, 89, of Carman, Illinois, died Sunday, December 17, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.
Born September 14, 1934, in Des Moines County, Iowa, she was the daughter of Hugh and Zaida (Granaman) Gesling. She married John Potsick on February 5, 1955, in Burlington. He died May 26, 2006.
She worked for Security Labs for many years until her retirement.
Joan was an excellent cook and baker; she loved sewing and was an avid reader. Her family was very important to her, and she cherished the time spent with them and her dog Sophie.
She is survived by her two daughters; Cheryl (Tom) Gearhart of Raritan, Illinois and Pam (Ralph) Martin of Carman, Illinois; four grandchildren, Tiffany Kaup, Chad Kaup, Andrew Zurmuehlen and Amy Koger; great grandchildren, Alex, Sammy, Cora, Cyrus, Ruby, Vincent, Jacob, Jenna, Annie and Deanna and one brother Bill Gesling of Carman, Illinois.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son-in-law Craig Kaup.
Friends may call from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 20th at Lunning Chapel.
The graveside funeral service and interment will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 20th at Aspen Grove Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for the Henderson County Library.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Cary Lee Bowlyou, age 83, of Moline, Illinois, passed away at 10:12 p.m. Friday, December 15, 2023 at Unity Point Health Medical Center in Rock Island, Illinois. He was born May 23, 1940 in Stronghurst, Illinois, the son of Charles Earl and Helen M. Eaves Bowlyou. In May of 1975, he married Judith Shirley Hemm. She survives.
Cary was a veteran of the United States Navy. He worked as a mechanic for Alcoa in Riverdale, Iowa for many years, retiring in 1999. He was a member of the Bettendorf Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Masonic Lodge.
Besides his wife, survivors include his son, Michael (Miguel Fierro-Bowlyou) Bowlyou of Chicago, IL, his daughter Janelle (Joseph Mandola) Okrzesik of Houston, TX, a grandson, Brooks Okrzesik, and three brothers, Rick Bowlyou of Lomax, IL, Charles (Sue) Bowlyou of Virginia Beach, VA, and Byron (Shelly) Bowlyou of Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Lenny Bowlyou.
The service for Mr. Bowlyou will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2023 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst with Rev. Joyce Beaulieu officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Carman Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Please visit Cary’s obituary at banksandbeals.com to leave a condolence.