Virgil (of Dows) and Jill (of Clarion) met at a 4-H Softball game in Dows, IA in the summer of 1969. That fall, Virgil joined the Army Reserves and served from 1969 to 1975.They got married on July 10, 1971, in Eldora and in 1972 they bought a 40-acre farm in Belmond. In 1977 they bought a 160-acre farm in Fontanelle where they grew crops and raised livestock. Jill went to Nursing school at Southwestern Community College and worked at the Adair County Memorial Hospital in Greenfield for 28 years. After retiring from farm work, Virgil supported the Nodaway Valley Community School District by driving the bus for 10 years. They are both now retired and living on the Greenfield Lake where they enjoy the beautiful views, walks around the lake with their dog Gus, and visits from their children and grandchildren.
They have five daughters: Jennifer (Brian Armstrong) of Polk City, Angela (Tony Lesniak) of The Woodlands, TX, Barbara (AJ Lucius) of Otsego, MN, Jessica (Zach Jones) of West Des Moines, and Tracy (Ryan Fuller) of Olathe, KS. They have also been blessed with 7 grandchildren: James and Porter (Jennifer), Sloan, Behr and Beau (Barbara), and Zeke and Elliot (Jessica).
They would love to hear from family, friends/classmates and the many people they have met and befriended throughout the years, so let’s shower them with cards! Cards can be sent to Virgil & Jill Swanson, 2178 243rd Lane, Greenfield, IA 50849.
