Frederick Walker Cline | Cline Clan Chronicled

Frederick Walker and Louise Helen Cline

met while Fred was taking a class at Knox?
Married in August, 1949 after a quick courtship (started dating in February of ’49 and the Cline family first met her in April of ’49)
They lived for most of their years in Abingdon, Illinois, but also spent time in Kewanee, IL; plus Brooklyn, New York during the Korean conflict
They raised three children Patricia Jean, daughter {listed anonymously at the request of the child} and Frederick Walker

Because of some more intensive “Long Memories” efforts with him, details of Fred’s life have been chronicled in a website dedicated to him that is here

She was diagnosed with polio in 1952 – at that point she was 7 months pregnant with child {listed anonymously at the request of the child} . Could barely dress herself, but ultimately came out fine after a multi-month treatment regimen
After graduating from Knox College, she worked for the University of Illinois extension branch in Galesburg doing psychological testing
Louise did a lot of the accounting and other “book work” for Cline Soil Service in its early years.
She took courses later to get her teaching certificate and then did homebound tutoring and substitute teaching in Abingdon
Louise shared her love of music by playing both violin and piano.
She was a wonderful supporter of activities in and around the church and community
Louise regularly had a smile on her face – “Weezy” was a very pleasant person
She died in 1999 after a bout with cancer

Among some lesser-known facts, she…

Played the violin, including with the Kewanee Symphony and also at the marriage of Cliff and Marilyn Long (obligato of I Love You Truly, with Bob Lawson singing)
She almost always made Duncan Hines blueberry muffins when others were visiting
Louise was active in PEO. Memorable and comical was the time during a PEO meeting when one of the members commented to Louise’s granddaughter Sara how much she resembled her father… 🙂

grew up in Abingdon, IL and moved with her family to California later in her high school years – was 16 the day Samuel B. was born and was at Fred’s 18th birthday gathering and remembers having 1 month old Sam B. on her lap
was married to Roger Swanson and was the mother of seven children, six of whom lived to adulthood
lived in Owatonna, Minnesota for a large part of her adult life
taught school nearby (with a few “lessons” from son Greg)
worked for many years at Mayo Clinic doing dermatological work (artificial skin for people with burns and other skin needs) after Roger died
married Fred in August of 2000 and was a wonderful addition to our Cline Clan family and we are glad she and Fred had so much fun for the time they were together
she dealt with several bouts of cancer with incredible grace, remaining remarkably upbeat and unemotional about the situation even after entering hospice
her obituary, written by her in collaboration with her children, is here

Among some lesser-known facts, she…

loved nature and shared that passion with many; a wonderful legacy
carried a camera whenever possible to capture moments for posterity
used those photographs to make lovely scrapbooks, sharing this passion with her daughter Sara

Reviewed/additions by: Marilyn Long,