Eva Ulla Elisabet Dahlgren Swanson
OREGON-Eva Ulla Elisabet Dahlgren Swanson died at home on Sunday, April 29, 2012, surrounded by her family after a ten-month-long struggle with ovarian cancer.
Ulla was born in Varnamo, Sweden, on June 10, 1948.
She lived in Bredaryd and worked as an L.P.N. until she married Gunnard M. Swanson on July 3, 1976. Gunnard and Ulla lived in Stockholm for two years and moved to the United States in July, 1978. After raising two children, Ulla worked for the Oregon School District in food service at Rome Corners Intermediate School for seven years from 2005 until her illness forced her to retire.
Ulla was a member of Arbor Covenant Church in Madison where she belonged to Covenant Women and was a member of the Worship Team. She also sang in the Church Choir and taught Sunday School.
Ulla is survived by her husband, Gunnard of Oregon; two children, Ulrika E. Swanson of Oregon and Adrian G. Swanson of Minneapolis; two brothers, Per-Gunnar (Monica) Dahlgren of Forsheda, Sweden and Christer (Ingrid) Dahlgren of Skummeslov, Sweden; an uncle, Stig Dahlgren of Katrineholm, Sweden; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Per and Elin Dahlgren; an aunt, Gullan Dahlgren who cared for Ulla and her brothers after Elin died in 1948, in addition to several other uncles and aunts.
A memorial service will be held at ARBOR COVENANT CHURCH on Friday, May 4, 2012, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Peter Morris officiating.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 3, 2012, at the GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, 1150 Park Street, Oregon, WI from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.
A memorial service will also be held in Bredaryd, Sweden at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Arbor Covenant Church, 2509 McDivitt Road, Madison, WI 53713 or to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711.
Ulla’s family and friends will find comfort in the words of an old Swedish hymn:
“Children of the heav’nly Father Safely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in heaven Such a refuge e’er was given.
God His own doth tend and nourish; In His holy courts they flourish;
From all evil things He spares them; In His mighty arms He bears them.
Neither life nor death shall ever From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth, And their sorrows all He knoweth.
Lo, their very hairs He numbers, And no daily care encumbers,
Them that share His ev’ry blessing, And His help in woes distressing.
Praise the Lord in joyful numbers, Your Protector never slumbers;
At the will of your Defender Ev’ry foeman must surrender.
Though He giveth or He taketh, God His children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely To preserve them pure and holy.”
