Orletha (Swanson) Robertson

Orletha Yvonne (Swanson) Robertson, 96, of Gladwin, Iowa, made it to Heaven on Friday, May 5, 2022 while at home surrounded in her final moments by those she loved.

Orletha, lovingly called ET by her family, was born in Oakville, Iowa on April 2, 1926 to Oscar and Jessie (Reddick) Swanson. The oldest of 5 siblings, Et was the ever caregiver. On July 6, 1943, Orletha married Burtis “Bud” Robertson and became a mother to son, Raymond, the same year. The couple then welcomed daughter, Norma Jean, in 1945 and lastly, another son, Jackie, in 1946. Together, the young couple worked long hard days on the share-cropped farm to provide for their growing family. Bud and Et would also grow their faith, first attending the Oakville Church of God, and for the past 70 years, attending the Wapello Church of the Nazarene. Over her lifetime, Et would experience much tragic loss: from her father to her sons, and then her granddaughter, but never did she waiver in her faith.

Et’s life was a testament to all that she was; a selfless, genuine, hardworking Iowa Farmer. In 1960, Bud and Et relocated to Gladwin, Iowa to farm on their very own and enjoyed watching their children raise grandchildren on adjacent properties. Grandchildren were the love of Orletha’s life. Although she once spent hot days working the fields, her later years were filled by time spent with her daughter and best friend, Jean, and playing with her many grandchildren. Et also enjoyed music, traveling, dancing with her sisters, The Old Trashers, gardening, Cowboy Church, reminiscing with her family and participating in her church.

Orletha is survived by her daughter, Jean (Jerry) Larimer of Gladwin and sister, Leona Cross of Burlington as well as numerous grand/great grandchildren. Orletha was welcomed into Heaven with open arms by her parents; husband, Bud; sisters, Joyce Staats and Velora Coleman; brother, Don Swanson; sons, Raymond and Jackie; and granddaughter, Kim Larimer.

The only thing Orletha ever desired was to seek God. Her quest to bring people in to the church was never ending. To honor that, we will celebrate Et’s life during a Sunday morning church service and would welcome all who’s lives she touched to join us on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at the Wapello Church of the Nazarene with refreshments to follow.

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