Arlene Kaye Swanson

pre-deceased by her husband of 59 years Dale B. Swanson, parents, Floyd & Jeanette

Reynolds, step-mother Lenora Reynolds, brothers and sisters in law Burton Reynolds, Ronald

Reynolds (Dee), Dwight Reynolds (De) and niece, Dana Jacobsen (Glenn).

Arlene was very proud of her Newton, Iowa roots where she lived on a farm with three brothers

until they moved to town when she was 16. She went to a one room schoolhouse for grammar

school. In high school she lettered in voice singing in the choir and solos for many programs

both at school and at Newton First Methodist Church. After high school, Arlene became a legal

secretary in Newton.

Upon taking a trip to Seattle when she was 23 to visit her aunt & uncle, she liked it so much she

“sent for her things”. Arlene went to work at the YMCA and joined University Temple Methodist

Church where she met Dale In the choir. They were married in 1957 and had a son, Greg in

1960.

Over the years, the things that mattered most to Arlene were her family and friends. She was a

70 year member at UTemple where she was the alto soloist for 30 years and choir member for

50 years. She was also a greeter at church and had a knack for reaching out to new people and

making them feel comfortable. She joined the P.E.O. philanthropy and affiliated with chapter

CY and later Chapter G for approximately 50 years. Arlene was an alto in the Seattle Symphony

Chorale for about 20 years as well as being a long-time member of the Ryther Child’s Center

Guild. Arlene also enjoyed her membership at the Women’s University Club.

Mom was a great collector of friends as she mixed well with a variety of people. It seemed she

had a different lunch group going every day. Her hobbies in addition to singing included:

gardening, playing piano, interior design, photography and Mariner baseball games.

As her son, I can say I don’t remember her ever missing one of my baseball games or orchestra

concerts. In fact, I remember her rearranging our summer travel plans when I was 14 because I

made the Pony League All Star team. She was a very supportive and loving Mom and I’m lucky

to be her son. In addition to our small family, she also adored her nephews & nieces and their

extended families who mostly all live in Iowa and Illinois.

Arlene is survived by her son Greg Swanson (Gretchen), step granddaughter Reland Tuomi

(Josh Stubblebine), sister-in-law Tori Reynolds, nephews Scott Reynolds, Kevin Reynolds &

Kyle Reynolds (Linda), nieces Denise Reynolds, and Diane Norway (Brent). Arlene is further

survived by her grand-nieces Lindsay Reynolds, Alexandra Lee (Tyler), Jessica Thomas

(Payton), Alayna Reynolds, Victoria Reynolds, Sophia Reynolds and Moriah Reynolds. Grand

nephews are Collin Reynolds (Amanda), Austin Reynolds (Sadie), Damon Reynolds (Abby),

Eric Jacobsen (Ana), Kyle Jacobsen (Emma), Cameron Norway, Ian Reynolds, Connor Norway,

Landon Reynolds and Andrew Jacobsen. Great grandnieces are Elsie Lee and Claire Lee while

Great grandnephews are Theo Reynolds and Jack Thomas.

Remembrances can be made to:

Seattle Wa PEO Chapter G scholarship fund,

memo: In memory of Arlene Swanson

Address:

PEO Foundation

3700 Grand Ave.

Des Moines, IA 50312