Albert Tweeten Family Albert 1897 – 1985 & Annette 1904 – 1991
Albert B. Tweeten was born August 26, 1897, at his parents home in Mt. Valley Township. Annette Anderson and Albert B. Tweeten were married November 14, 1924, in the Lutheran parsonage, rural Swea City and have lived in Swea City all their married life. Annette was a Swea City native, graduating from Swea City High School and the Conservatory at Augustana College at Rock Island, Illinois, where she majored in Public School Music. Abb graduated from Waldorf in Forest City and St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota. He enlisted in the S.A.T.C. (Student Army Training Corps) in 1918, and took his training right at the college at Northfield. He worked in a hardware store in Forest City for three and a half years before purchasing the former Jensen Hardware Store here in 1923. Annette’s father, the late J.J. Anderson, also owned a hardware store in Swea City where Dale’s Floor Service on the west side of main street is now located.
Abb was director of the church choir and Annette sang in the choir. Eventually the couple started dating and love blossomed. Although, Annette’s father approved of the relationship, her brother thought it was terrible that she should be going out with their competitor. The newlyweds moved into a home now occupied by Florence Manthei where they resided for seven years. From there they moved to the home where the Slifka family lives. After occupying that home for forty-three years, it was sold and they moved to their present location in 1973. Back in 1923, when Abb purchased the hardware store, merchandising was entirely different than it is today. Everything was behind counters or glass shelves. He sold both light and heavy hardware, barbed wire and appliances, some names still familiar today like Maytag and Speed Queen. But how many remember the names Sanico Stoves and Blood Paint? Depression came along and he couldn’t get hardware items, so he filled the shelves with Pyrex and glasses. When oil heaters came into being, he sold those too.
The great George K. Nelson kept his plumbing business in the store until he purchased his own store, although the two were never partners. In later years Abb bought the building next door that housed Infelt Variety. Aleta Ecklund and Lillian Bone continued to operate the variety store. He sold the hardware store to Amery Charlson in 1957, after being an active businessman in Swea City for 54 years. Having a great interest in music, Abb organized and directed a town band in the twenties and it was during this period that the group along with others, helped raise funds for a band shell in the park. In spring 1936, plans were completed to build a band shell. The structure was designed by John G. Haglund, veteran Swea City builder and band-man. Under his supervision the band shell was completed in time for the 1936, Memorial Day service. During his early retirement years Abb held a broker’s license and sold real estate. Another job that lasted a few months each year was selling Christmas trees grown in Wisconsin which was very popular for about three years. He “plugged” along at it for six or seven years, traveling east and west from Estherville to Mason City, south to Algona and to Madsen’s stores north. He would go out and take orders, and trucks from Wisconsin would deliver the trees.
Abb and Annette celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in November 1974, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Swea City, with their three children Kathryn Fraser of Downey, California, John of Boise, Idaho and Paul of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and granddaughter, Nancy Fraser of Downey, California, present.
Albert passed away after a short illness at Lutz Wing, Fairmont, Minnesota, on October 16, 1985. He is buried at Harrison Township Cemetery, Swea City, Iowa. Annette recently entered a rest home in Bancroft and has spent some time during the winter at her daughter’s home at Downey, California. Abb and Annette have three children:
A. Dr. Kathryn (Kay) Tweeten Fraser, born October 16, 1925, in Swea City. After graduating from high school in Swea City, she attended St. Olaf College, receiving a B.A. degree in 1947. Kay taught English and journalism in St James, Minnesota, for three years and then went back to school at the University of Iowa for her M.A. in counseling/education. While there, she met her husband Robert Fraser who was a senior in law school. She worked for a year as a counselor in Davenport, Iowa, High School after leaving the University. Bob and she were married in 1952, and lived for a year in Princeton, New Jersey, where Bob worked as a patent attorney for RCA research labs. They moved to Pasadena, California, in 1953. Bob worked for a patent law firm there until he started his own practice in Los Angeles in 1956, at which time they moved to Downey. By this time Susan Elizabeth and Nancy Jane had been born. Kay “retired” for 10 years while her daughters were small, kept busy with Brownies, Lawyers’ Wives Club, Jr.. Womens’ Club, and other community volunteer. In 1965, Kay decided to return to professional life so she went back to school at Long Beach State University and returned to teaching and soon back to counseling at Warren High School in Downey. In 1968, Bob and Kay were divorced but being the eternal coed, she continued school and working until she had another credential (school psychologist) and subsequently, a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. She started her own practice in Downey in 1976, successfully and happily, and has been at it ever since
Kay and her family are all involved in church activities. She is active in church choir and president of and a singer in the Choral Society of Southern California. They sing concerts in the Los Angeles area and have done concert tours in Europe in 1982, 1984, 1987, and will be leaving in July, 1990, for Prague, Vienna, Nuremberg, Salzburg, and Munich to sing and have fun. Hobbies? probably family fun, travel, music, reading, and grandchildren. Latest happy event -selection as a “Distinguished Alumna” of St. Olaf College, to be honored Commencement weekend, May, 1990. Kay and Bob’s two daughters are:
a. Susan Elizabeth Fraser Maples, born September 29, 1954, in Pasadena, California. After high school, she went to Westminster college in Salt Lake City, Utah, B.A. degree in English and Philosophy Summa Cum Laude in 1975. She then went on to receive her Masters Degree from California State, Fullerton, in Public Relations. She married Robert Maples, June 2, 1979. They live in Irvine, California, where she is working for South Coast Plaza Company in marketing and public relations. Her husband, Bob, is also in public relations so they have lots in common.
b. Nancy Jane Fraser Bonsangue, born October 17, 1957, in Downey, California. After high school, she went to California State University at Fullerton, B.A. Degree with highest honors in Speech Communication. She then went on to receive her Masters Degree from California State, Fullerton, in Communicative Disorders. “Both she and Susan graduated the same day, and needless to say,” says Kay, “I am extremely proud of them and their accomplishments.”
Nancy married Martin Bonsangue, July 30, 1977, of Yorba Linda, California, and is working as a speech therapist in the schools there. Her husband Marty is completing his Ph.D in Math Education at Claremont Graduate School and teaches at Mt. San Antonio College.
B. Dr. John Bendick Tweeten, born December 15, 1928, at Swea City, Iowa. He attended St. Olaf for three years and was then admitted to Medical School at the University of Iowa. He married Margaret Hanson of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, June 17, 1950. He practiced in Menomonie, Wisconsin, for several years and then returned to earn his specialty in radiology. He now lives at 2929 Mountain Shadow Road, Boise, Idaho. He and Margaret are divorced. They have three children:
a. Kristin Kay Tweeten Lamotte, born September 14, 1952, at Iowa City, Iowa. She married Christian Lamotte, January 25, 1987. They live in Sun Valley, Idaho. Kristin is a Real Estate Salesperson. Christian, her husband, is French born. He is a Partner and Chef at Chez Michelle Restaurant in Sun Valley.
b. Thomas John Tweeten, born October 22, 1954, at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. He is a Guide and Ski Shop Manager in Sun Valley.
c. James Paul Tweeten, born November 9, 1957, at Menomonie, Wisconsin. He married Janis McWilliams on February 20, 1982. He is an Opthamologist; recently started practice in Boise, Idaho.
C. Dr. Paul William Tweeten, born July 28, 1931, at Fairmont, Minnesota. Paul graduated from Swea City High School and then attended St. Olaf College for a year and a half. His brother John and sister Kay were both at the University of Iowa so he transferred to join the fun. He went into the service (Navy) and after being discharged, went back to the University of Iowa to earn his B.A. Degree. He married Gayle Grimm, July 10, 1955, and taught in Clinton, Iowa, for several years. After earning his Master’s Degree, he worked as Science Consultant for the Iowa State Department of Education. He later received his Ph.D. and joined the faculty of the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. He has served as Full Professor, Department Chairman, and Administrator of many Government Grants for training of science teachers. Paul is now married to Dr. Betsy Ward Tweeten, (July 28, 1985) a fellow Professor. They live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Paul and Gayle have two children:
a. Bruce Conrad Tweeten, born October 12, 1959, at Clinton, Iowa. Bruce works in construction, expert in tile design and installation. He presently lives in Seattle, Washington.
b. Jan Lynette Tweeten, born October 25, 1962, at Clinton, Iowa. She is attending the University of New Mexico. She will graduate in December of 1990.