Garnita Seward

Garnita Seward, 90, of rural Eldora, passed early in the morning of Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, at Eldora Specialty Care. Per the wishes of Garnita and her family, cremation rites have been accorded. Her family is planning a private service and burial on Saturday, Oct. 10. Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Garnita and her family. For additional questions or to leave a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Born Garnita Fern White on Sept. 10, 1930, on her family farm in Rhodes, Iowa, she was the daughter of James and Vesta (Good) White. Garnita graduated from Melbourne High School and went on to attend Smith University.

Garnita was united in marriage to Irwin Seward on Aug. 10, 1949, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Together they lived in Union, New Providence and finally in Eldora, where they farmed and raised their five children. They celebrated 56 years of marriage before Irwin’s passing in 2006.

When Garnita wasn’t busy raising her children and working hard on the family farm, she enjoyed gardening, bird watching, nature conservation and photography. She was a leader of the 4H club and an active member of Union Community Church.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Teresa (Bill Black) Seward of Newton, Iowa, Mark (Paula) Seward of New Providence, Iowa, Gwen Seward Lewis of Mitchellville, Iowa, Lynnette (Richard) Groepper of Union, Iowa, and Kaye Seward of West Des Moines, Iowa; 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren; sister Goldie Canutt, brother Rex (Marilyn) White, brother-in-law Jack Seward and sister-in-law Ivanelle White.

Garnita is preceded in death by husband, Irwin; her parents James and Vesta White; brother Carroll White and son-in-law Tom Lewis.

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