Lil is survived by the love of her life, her husband of seventy-one years, James (Jim) H. Templeton. She was preceded in death by her mother Alma Stoll Swenson, her father Gunnar Axel Swenson, and brother Raymond Swenson. Lil is also survived by her son Jimmy Templeton (Barbara) and her daughter Carol Baker (Randy). She is also survived by her grandchildren Tim Ramsey, Samantha Chapman (Rob), Jimmy Templeton, Michael Templeton and Katy Hamilton (Wade), plus step-grandchildren Brad Baker (Debbie) and Kristen Malone (Mike). She is blessed with four great-grandchildren, Asher, Kylen, Nolan and Emma as well as eight step-grandchildren. She loved each and every member of her family.
Lil was born on January 9th, 1924 at home in New Sweden, Texas. She grew up on a farm and much of her character was the result of the related hard work and hard life of a farm family. She attended Rose Hill School and Manor High School. After her father died in 1939, the family moved to Austin where she attended Austin High school. She graduated in 1942 and shortly after began working at the Texas State Department of Health in a laboratory involved in vaccine development. She was encouraged to take courses at the University of Texas, which ultimately led to her meeting her husband. Jim, four years her junior, was a graduate laboratory instructor and as luck would have it, she was in his lab. Mutual friends encouraged them to date, and eight months after their first date, they were married. Their first home was in Freeport, Texas when Jim was working for Dow Chemical. They moved back to Austin in 1952 and have lived there ever since.
Lil was an active member of First English Lutheran church since 1941, and a good Christian. During the war, she and other church members were active in entertaining and hosting service members, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, and participating on many church committees. She was an avid golfer and domino player, and was one of the most competitive persons ever. If you ever needed a five foot putt to win a hole, she is the one to make the putt. She loved to travel and she and Jim were fortunate enough to travel around the world. Many of these trips were with her family which resulted in wonderful memories we cherish today. She was a great cook and thoroughly enjoyed cooking until she recently fell ill.
The family would also like to thank the wonderful staff, doctors and nurses at St. David’s hospital for their care during her last weeks.
We love you and will miss you Meemaw.
A private family only graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the First English Lutheran Church Memorial Fund (3001 Whitis Avenue, Austin, TX 78705, 512-478-1933).
