Harriet Idalia (Miller) Swenson, age 91, of Wells, MN, died Saturday, July 13, 2013 at Parkview Care Center, Wells, MN from complications of Alzheimer’s. Funeral Services will be held Friday, July 19, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Wells, MN. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2013 from 4-8 p.m. at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, MN and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Pastor Tom Biatek will officiate and burial will be in Dunbar Memorial Cemetery, Minnesota Lake Township, Faribault Co., MN following the service. Please see www.brussheitner.com to leave online condolences. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, MN is in charge of arrangements.
Harriet Idalia Swenson was born on October 20, 1921 in Vivian Township, the daughter of August and Lydia (Roesler) Miller. She married the love of her life, Vernon Swenson, June 6, 1948 in Wells, MN and they remained together for 63 years. She attended country school in the Wells area. Harriet sold Avon and worked at the Wells School for many years—the school children knew her as the “lunch lady.” The job she loved most was taking care of her family. Harriet loved reading the newspaper and would often clip articles to share with family and friends. She enjoyed embroidery, sewing, and cooking— she gave many of her projects as gifts and could come up with a meal in minutes. Harriet loved music and could play the piano, guitar, and accordion by ear. She enjoyed visiting and anyone she met did not remain a stranger for long—she was a compassionate person and a good listener. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren—baking cookies, playing games, or talking. Harriet was a member of the Wells United Methodist Church, where she belonged to the UMW, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and Bible School, and helped on various committees.Harriet is survived by a daughter, Marlene Culbertson of Wells; a son Randal (Deb) Swenson of Mendota Heights, MN; 3 grandchildren: Joshua Swenson of Eagan, MN, Bill (Megan) Swenson of Okinawa, Japan, Holly Swenson of Chicago, IL; 3 great-granddaughters: Kaylee, Chloe and Samantha Swenson; a sister Dolores Dahnert of Waseca, MN; a brother Darold (Linda) Miller of Wells, MN; 2 sisters-in-law: Anne Swenson of Waseca, MN, Lynne Swenson of New Richland, MN; many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister in infancy; a brother, Maynard Miller; her husband, Vernon in 2011; a son-in-law Donald Culbertson and grandchildren Jason and Sarah Culbertson.