Published February 01, 2013, 12:00 AM

Zona L. Swanson

Zona L. Swanson, 89, of Grand Forks, ND passed away on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 in Valley Eldercare Center, Grand Forks. Zona was born on November 14, 1923 at Orr, ND, the daughter of Fred L. and Hilda Neumann of Orr, ND. She grew up to womanhood in the area. She attended the Orr School for twelve years. To further her education she attended Mayville State Teachers College receiving an AA in 1943 and a BA in 1959. In 1966, she attained a Masters in Education at the University of North Dakota. In June of 1943 she married Lyle Swanson and was a farmer’s wife for ten years before moving to Larimore, ND. She was meant to be a teacher as she spent 38 years doing what she enjoyed. As an elementary teacher, she taught in a Larimore rural school (1950-1952); grades 5-8 in Arvilla (1952-1954); grades 1-8 in Kempton (1954-1959); grades 5 and 7 at the Grand Forks Air Force Base (1959-1969); and grade 6 in Grand Forks (1969-1989) and then retired. Zona was as active leader and participant in the Grand Forks Education Association, (president) North Dakota Classroom Teacher’s Association (Bismarck), Girl Scouts, Larimore church/Sunday school, Civil Air Patrol, and Farmer’s Union. Zona was an avid doll and teddy bear collector, having some very good ones. She especially enjoyed collecting Steiff teddy bears. She also liked to read a good book, most of them by Danielle Steel. At one time she collected stamps. Zona also participated in Lyle’s antique interests by traveling to antique and flea market shows with him. She enjoyed hearing from former students especially at Christmas time and even for wedding and graduation announcements. Zona especially enjoyed and cherished her two grandchildren from the time they were born and grown to adults. Left to cherish her memories are her husband Lyle; daughter, Barbara Jean Serr (special friend Jim Lienhart) Bismarck, ND; son, Daniel R. and Virginia (Miller) Swanson, Grand Forks, ND; granddaughter, Kim A. Serr, Surprise, AZ; and grandson Derek D. Swanson, Eagan, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Dwight Neumann of NC; and sister Inez Brueckner of WA. A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 2, 2013 at Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks. Visitation will be one hour prior to the memorial service. A guestbook may be signed at www.amundsonfuner