Erma Swenson, 1925-2015

Published 9:59 am Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Erma B. Swenson, 90, of Alden died Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, from complications of a brain tumor at her home in Alden surrounded by her family. A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Alden. The Rev. Greg Ofsdahl will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Alden Cemetery in Alden. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is handling the arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.brussheitner.com.

Erma Swenson

Erma Beatrice was born July 11, 1925, the daughter of Oscar and Martha (Jensen) Weirum, south of Alden. She grew up on farms in the area and attended Alden schools. Erma was united in marriage to the love of her life, Roger R. Swenson, on Aug. 16, 1951, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The couple made their home in Alden. Erma worked in the office of Land O’ Lakes in Albert Lea. Erma was a great cook and baker. She enjoyed spending hours looking through recipe books. She loved to play cards, crochet, work puzzles, travel and spend time fishing at the family cabin in Spicer. She farmed alongside her husband, Roger, their whole married life. Erma was a member of the Get-Together Club and belonged to the Alden Senior Citizen Group of Alden. She spent many hours volunteering for Meals-On-Wheels, as well as for Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Erma is survived by her husband of 64 years, Roger R. Swenson, of Alden; son, Kevin R., and wife, Sandi L. Swenson, of Alden; four step-grandchildren, Kari (Kurt) Mylenbusch of Trenton, Missouri, Lee Felten of Trenton, Raymond (Laura) Davis of Houston, and Angie Davis (fiancé, Tyler Carroll) of Kansas City, Missouri; three step-great-grandchildren, Riley K. Hudson R. Mylenbusch and Jace G. Davis of Houston; brothers-in-law Leo K. Pedersen, Clarence (Sylvia) Swenson, Roy (Ardys) Swenson and Lester Swenson; several nieces and nephews and their families; and friends Lorraine Anderson and Patti L. Holmseth.

Erma was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Eleanor B. Pedersen; and niece, Linda M. Jensen.

The family wishes to thank all the hospice staff and volunteers, the staff at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea, and Dr. Laurie and the oncology staff at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea.