Linda Gunnell Swain

Our daddy’s beloved Sweetheart, our Mama, and Nana, Linda Gunnell Swain, passed calmly and peacefully through the veil, surrounded by loved ones in her home, into the waiting arms of her daughter and other loved ones in the late afternoon of 21 June 2023. Mama lived a life of loving kindness and beautiful, childlike faith. She is a fierce defender of her family, her faith, and loves with her whole soul. Daddy is her knight in shining armor and the love of her life.

Linda was born 14 April 1948, in Ogden, Utah to Sarah and Gerald Gunnell. She is the middle child with two older sisters and two younger brothers. She met Hap Karl Swain at the tender age of 19. Daddy says the first time he laid eyes on her, he knew she was the girl for him. They have been inseparable ever since.

On 01 March 1968, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City temple. That decision has blessed our lives and continues to do so. We’re so grateful for their faith and persistence of working toward that goal while carrying us all along. “No empty chairs” has always been a family motto, one that Mama and Daddy made sure we understood meant we needed to love and forgive, so we could be together forever. This is our truth; this is what we know. Our angel Mama never faltered in letting us know what she knows and the peace it brings. With that peace knitting our hearts back together, we want to share with you a glimpse of the angel our mama is.

Children joined their family in quick succession. We are so grateful for their willingness to bring so many of us into this world. Their example of faith and trusting the Lord only increased when they lost their second child, Sindy, at just 13 days old. They call this the most difficult blessing of their marriage.  Through this blessing they found a beautiful closeness, commitment to each other and Heavenly Father through the hard times, and a fierce love and commitment for their family and faith. This bittersweet blessing gave them the opportunity to share their testimony of eternal families often.

Mama loves to play the piano and sing in her sweet soprano voice. Evenings in our home would often find us standing around our mama at the piano singing our hearts out with Mama leading the way.

Mama and Daddy’s home has always been a gathering place for family and friends alike. Family and friends know they can drop by at any time and be welcomed with open arms. We have received many messages during the past few weeks as Mama has been sick, telling us of the love and acceptance others have felt from her. She will continue to give that love as she watches over us “just waiting in the other room” as she said many times during these last few weeks.

Mama is preceded in death by our sister, Sindy, her daddy and her mama. She is survived by her sweetheart, Hap Karl Swain; Children: Tammy (Mark) Swain-Cox, Heidy (Jed) Jensen, Karlinda (Scott) Smith, Walter (Susan) Swain, Juanita (Denver) Harris, Melody (Matt) Christensen, Penny (Jarell) Dillman, Holly (Carl) Foley; and her favorites, her grandchildren.  

We love you, Mama! We know you’re preparing the mansion for Daddy; we will help you watch over him until he joins you in the other room.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 12 noon at the Vernal 1^st Ward LDS Chapel (459 W 100 S).  Viewings will be held Wednesday, June 28, 2023 from 6-8 PM at the Blackburn Mortuary and Thursday 1 hour prior to service at the chapel. Interment will be in the Vernal Memorial Park under the care of Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.