The first of five children, Jo Anne Yvonne Swanson, was born to George and Freda Swanson on April 14, 1937, in Cass County, Minnesota. Jo Anne, and her siblings: Gale Alden (G.A.), Darlene, Ron, and Tom, entered life as the daughters and sons of godly parents, who feared the Lord and faithfully served Him and His church, humbly and without fanfare all the days of their lives. What the children may have lacked in material prosperity, they received in spiritual abundance. After spending her early childhood years in Minnesota and South Dakota, just prior to the War, the Swanson Family moved to Campbell, California, where Jo Annes dad, George, continued working as a Heavy-Duty Mechanic. Soon thereafter, however, her dad contracted tuberculosis, at the time an incurable respiratory disease. For comfort and treatment, the terminal diagnosis required the family to relocate to Tucson, Arizonas hot and dry climate. It was during this time that young Jo Anne first witnessed the miracle-working power of God. In a 1943 revival with Evangelist L.G. Rouse at the small Church of God in South Tucson, her dad was completely healed of the deadly disease. Having not been able to even take a few steps without difficulty breathing, upon the ministers instructions, George was running around the small church without any difficulty. The x-rays would later confirm that, in the doctors words, “one lung was gone and the other was going, and now, I see two completely whole lungs without a trace of the disease.” This experience would stay with Jo Anne all of her life. Even through seasons of disappointment and loss, she always knew that God kept His Word and that His power was great! A decade later, in 1953, a young airman was invited by a friend to visit the little church in South Tucson. As was her custom, Jo Annes mom, Freda, invited all the young people to their home after church for a “Sunday Lunch” of tacos. It was then that Jo Anne met Frank Montgomery. Although not allowed to date for some time, and never without the simultaneous presence of her little brother, G.A., Frank and Jo Anne established a loving relationship and were married on July 17, 1955. On June 12, 1958, their daughter, Kathy Jo, was born, followed a few years later by their son, Tobey. In 1961, Frank and Jo Annes daughter, Kathy, was diagnosed with a rare and potentially deadly kidney disease. She would struggle for three years, with Jo Anne at her side through hospitals stays and specialist visits. Finally, in an attempt to save Kathys life, in 1964, Jo Anne donated a kidney to her little girl. While hopeful at first, eventually, Kathy succumbed and entered the arms of Jesus, just shy of her sixth birthday, to the devastation of both Frank and Jo Anne. However, they were a Household of Faith and knew the only place they could go was into the Presence of Jesus. As a mom and donor, Jo Anne was especially despairing after her daughters home-going, but she was a Woman of The Word. She searched The Scriptures and held on to the promises of Hope, Purpose, and even Mission. As she raised their son in the shadow of Franks frequent trips into the Battlefield of Viet Nam, she held onto Her Lord by clinging to His Word. Instead of shrinking back into despair, she pressed forward with caring for her family, developing a career in property management, and mainly serving in the ministry. She ministered to children, served as the Church Youth Director on several occasions, sang in choirs and worship teams, and for nearly forty years, led the “Hands of Love” Ministries, a missionary service and support ministry reaching around the world, with unique and powerful influence in Mexico, and the inner cities of the Inland Empire. Although she would never talk about such things, her efforts were recognized by the City of Ontario, Community Organizations in the Pomona Valley Region, and even the Legislature of the State of California. She firmly believed the scriptural imperative to “not merely listen to the Word, but to do what it says.” She loved her Lord by loving His Word, loving her family, and loving His Work. Then, on Wednesday afternoon, October 27, in His mercy, as Jo Anne was listening to the song, “The King is Coming,” the God of The Word, the King of The Ages, came for her. She is now completely with Him, and “all things are now new.” Her brother, Tom Swanson, Her son, Tobey, and daughter-in-law, Robin, and her family, Joshua, Amy, Logan, and Greyson; Trisha, Jason, Jackson, Ariana, and Kaydence; Christopher, Jenny, and Faith; Michael, Jordan, and Chloe; and numerous family members and precious friends, have all received this legacy of life to celebrate and the responsibility to put our faith into practice by doing what The Word says! We thank God for the testimony of a life well spent on behalf of God and of others. Visitation Thomas Miller Mortuary 1118 East Sixth Street Corona, CA 92879 (951) 737-3244 | Thursday 11/11, 10:30 am - 11:15 am Service Thomas Miller Mortuary 1118 East Sixth Street Corona, CA 92879 (951) 737-3244 | Thursday 11/11, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Cemetery Riverside National Cemetery 22495 Van Buren Blvd Riverside, CA 92518 Monday 11/29, 1:00 pm
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