White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

Jesup – Ellen I. Swinbank, 92 years old of Rochester, MN, and formerly of Jesup and Waterloo, IA, died Friday, July 13, 2012, at her home in Rochester.  She was born June 16, 1920, at Hazelton, IA, the daughter of Orme Cappel and Mabel Edna (Kalm) Cappel.  Ellen was educated in rural schools in Sumner Township of Buchanan County, IA and graduated from Independence High School in 1938.  She obtained a teaching degree from Independence Jr. College in 1940.  She was a charter member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.  She taught rural school for three years in the Independence area before being united in marriage to Joseph Clayton Swinbank on June 5, 1943, in San Diego, CA.  Following WWII, she and Clayton farmed near Jesup, IA for many years and in 1960, Ellen returned to teaching and taught 3^rd grade at Jesup Community Schools for 22 years before retiring in 1982.  They later moved to Waterloo, IA in 1989, where Ellen was active at Westminster Presbyterian Church as Vice Moderator and then Moderator of the Women’s Society for two years and a member of the serving group for ten years.  Clayton died in 2000 and in 2006, Ellen moved to Rochester, MN.  She was a member of Community Presbyterian Church in Rochester and was formerly a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Jesup.

Mrs. Swinbank is survived by two sons, Barrie Swinbank of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Jeff (Denise) Swinbank of Zumbro Falls, MN; also 3 grandchildren, Bryan, Amy and Willow.  In addition to her husband, Clayton, she is preceded in death by her parents; daughter in law, Katherine Swinbank; one brother, Ivan D. Cappel; two sisters, Marilyn O’Donnell and Orma Crew.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. - Tuesday, July 17, 2012, at the First Presbyterian Church, Jesup, IA with Rev. Kristine Kaplunas officiating.  Burial will be at the Garden of Memories Cemetery, Waterloo, IA.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Monday, July 16^th at the White Funeral Home, Jesup, IA and for an hour before services Tuesday at the church.  Memorials will be directed to Jesup Dollars for Scholars.