After 97 years, a life full of love for family, fun, and adventure, Josephine Swanson finally succumbed to age-related maladies and went to be with her Lord and Saviour on Sunday, March 14th, 2021. Born Josephine A. Knox to Paul and Jennie Knox (nee. Jannetje Neeltje van der Poel) on November 24, 1923 in Denton, Montana, Josephine quickly learned to work hard and be thrifty. She was the eldest of nine children who were all young when the Great Depression sent the country’s economy into a tailspin. The family farm near Lewistown, Montana, became the source of much of their food supply from her father’s large garden, cattle, pigs, and chickens. We’ve all heard many stories of how Josephine had to walk miles through pastures full of menacing bulls to get to the one room schoolhouse at Indian Creek. She loved her elementary school teacher and was dismayed when her teacher got married and had to quit because that was the rule at that time. During some of her grammar school years she would hitch a ride with a neighbor boy who had a horse and wagon so she didn’t have to walk the distance. On a weekly basis, Josephine’s father would take hay to the school to feed the horse as reimbursement for his daughter’s ride to school.
Josephine was a very good student excelling in penmanship and spelling and was elected Salutatorian of her graduating class of 1941 at Moccasin, Montana High School. Until the day of her death, she would note and verbally correct the spelling on signs and postings while riding as a passenger in the car. Winning a 4H contest in high school by hand-sewing a dress, she was awarded a trip to Chicago on the train. This was a long and adventurous trip for a farm girl who had scarcely traveled out of Central Montana. After graduation she attended one year of college in Havre, Montana, at Northern Montana College. While there, she excelled in her secretarial classes like shorthand and typing, became very adept at them, and used these skills throughout her life in a variety of jobs, though she was a stay-at-home-mother until all four children were grown. During World War II, as a young adult, Josephine traveled to New York City to help with the war effort. As executive secretary to the owner of a converted radio factory, she assisted with the work in building some of the first radar units used in the war.
Following the war Josephine came back to Central Montana to work at a bank and eventually moved to Spokane because one of her girlfriends had moved there. In 1948 she met Henry Grinalds, they were soon married and had four children over the next decade making their first home on the South Hill in Spokane. This marriage ended in 1970. Josephine was a fabulous mother, the kind of mom who was endlessly fair, generous, kind, and who taught her children to work hard, be thrifty, disciplined, all the while instilling in them a sense of adventure.
In 1989 she was pursued by and married Fran Swanson, a man of faith who exemplified her ideal and with whom she spent the next 8 wonderful years. Singing in the church choir, we believe Fran had the perfect trajectory from the choir loft to notice our mother and later take note of her passion for hymns, organ music, and the reverent way that she worshipped her Lord and Saviour. They enjoyed spending winters in Yuma and volunteered at the Wycliffe offices near Tucson, Arizona. Fran developed ALS and passed away in 1997. Meanwhile, her family grew with the addition of eleven grandchildren and eventually she enjoyed twenty-six great-grandchildren. She loved being included in her family’s sporting events, programs, and special occasions. After living alone for almost 20 years she met and married John Anderson with whom she spent her final 13 golden years. They too spent a few winters volunteering at the Wycliffe offices in Tucson, Arizona but otherwise enjoyed living at Touchmark on Spokane’s South Hill.
Josephine is survived by her husband John Anderson, her four children and their spouses, Barbara Tusant (John) of Spokane, Nancy Mortlock (Dave) of Spokane, Karen Altmeyer (Wade) of Colbert, WA and Randall Grinalds (Rhonda) of Liberty Lake, WA. Josephine is also survived by grandchildren and their spouses Melissa Iverson (Daniel), Priscilla Culver (Andrew), Heather Hubbard (Barrett), Paul Mortlock (Gretchen), Aaron Mortlock (Lindsey), Matthew Altmeyer (Stephanie), Bethany Napora (Brian), Emily Wilson (Benjamin), Stephen Grinalds, Evan Grinalds and Nathan Grinalds. She is also survived by all 26 of her great grandchildren, her only remaining living brother Dale Knox (Sharon) of Lewistown, Mt, her sister-in-law Carol Knox of Portland, Oregon and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Josephine will be laid to rest at Spokane-Cheney Memorial Gardens. The family would like to thank Dr Brett Gourley for his kind and compassionate care over the past few years.
Josephine’s life will be celebrated at 4pm on Saturday, March 20, 2021, at 4th Memorial Church, 2000 N. Standard, Spokane, WA. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations, in Josephine’s memory, to: Transitions Gate, N. 12402 Division, #248, Spokane, WA 99208
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18