Nanna Swanson, age 91 years, of Independence, Missouri passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, May, 07, 2016 at 2:30 a.m. at her home in Independence, Missouri. Nanna's ashes along with her husband's (Gene E. Swanson) ashes will be interred at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery (Higginsville, MO) on Thursday, July 28th, 2016.
A private interment service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. at the cemetery's chapel with interment at 1:30 p.m. Nanna Swanson's memorial service (open to friends and family) will be at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 28 at the RLDS New Hope Congregation, Independence, Missouri, a reception to follow at 8:00 p.m. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com

In Nanna's earlier years they all knew her and called her Nancy Isto. However, her birth certificate states her name is Nanna Kuoppala. Nanna was born in Lead, SD at the Homestake Hospital. The story of Nanna's life is very interesting and the story of her various last names will be revealed at her memorial service.

Nanna Swanson experienced early in her youth and throughout her life the bitter part that would enhance her joy when she tasted the sweet side that many take for granted. She delighted in the simple things of life; a bird singing, a bum lamb nuzzling, the butterflies fluttering,….. a baby's laugh. I remember taking her fishing in my canoe and how she drank in her surroundings and always looked fondly back upon that day.

She was unique and belonged to a small class of people. It was a class of people that I described as "The Ones Who Care"! She cared about the quality of her work and would apply herself vigorously to whatever chore she was given. But what set her apart was that she cared deeply for people. Especially the outcasts, those who mourned, those troubled, those with broken lives, and especially the orphan. She would go up to complete strangers and strike a conversation with them whether it was in a store, a doctor's office, on a bus, or in a plane. Some of them still exchange Christmas Cards once a year.

She became an unwilling orphan at a tender age of 3 years of age and started life with anger as she was snatched from her mother's bosom. She watched many of her loved ones pass over to the other side throughout her life and grief was familiar to her from her childhood throughout her life to her later years. The numerous hardships that she endured, ultimately developing her character, and how she coped with it can be summed up with this one statement:
She had Sisu!

So many of her loved ones have passed on that when she gave birth to her son and daughter she wanted to ensure that they would live a long live and devoted her life to nutrition to ensure her children would live passed her age and not experience passing to the other side prematurely.

When the Lord convinced her to join the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She heard an audible voice after she entered into her covenant with the Lord in the waters of baptism while riding in a Detroit cab proclaiming, "You have come Home"! She was delighted that so many called her Sister and she in turn would call them Brother or Sister. No longer an orphan! Her family was increasing and now she has gone home to meet many of them who have gone before her!

She is proceeded in death by her husband; Gene Swanson, parents; Helena Terisia f. Larrson (Jena) Kuoppala and Isak Lorens Leonard Kuoppala, seven brothers; Henry Kuoppala, Gunard Kuoppala, Sigurd Kuoppala, Wayne Kuoppala, Roger Kuoppala, Eino Kuoppala, and Swanie Kuoppala, three foster brothers; Reynold Isto, Norman Isto, and Neil Isto, one foster sister; Eleanor Isto, two foster fathers; Edward Isto and Oscar Reppen, one foster mother; Ethel (Isto) Reppen, grandaugher; Chole Clark, and grandson; Sterling Clark.

Among survivors are her son; Mark Swanson (Marion) of Independence, MO., daughter, Lisa Clark (Fred) of Kansas City, Mo., two granddaughters; Jenna Clark and Lacey Clark, two grandsons; Nicholas Clark and Erik Swanson. and numerous nieces and nephews and their children.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.