Betty Swanson, 82, died on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at Oakland Park Communities in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, April 2, 2009 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Mark Helgeland officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a 7:30 P.M. Prayer service on Wednesday evening and also at the church for one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

Betty Evelyn Swanson was born on December 28, 1926 in Thief River Falls, MN, the daughter of Henry and Alma (Knutson) Hoard. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, attended Elementary School in Thief River Falls, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1944. After High School Betty worked at Jungs Bakery as a bookkeeper before starting her family. In 1966 she went to work at Arctic Cat, sewing snowmobile suits and covers. She later moved to the main plant and worked in the Parts Department until her retirement in 1982.

Betty was united in marriage to Harold Swanson on June 26, 1947 at First Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. To this union eight children were born: Susan, Mark, Julie, Wendy, Corlynne, Michael, Jodell and Nancy.

Bettys family was everything to her. Having eight children, Bettys life revolved around them. She loved cooking and baking for family and friends and especially her grandchildren. Reading, watching TV and playing cards were some of the things she enjoyed. Grandchildren use these words to describe her: proud, devoted, inspirational, strong, loving, tender, calm, peaceful, maternal, faithful, funny, and generous. Betty was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and Silver Creek Homemakers Club.

She is survived by six children: Susan (Al) Buhl of Thief River Falls, MN, Julie (Dan) Sullivan of Moorhead, MN, Wendy (Tom) Goddard of Thief River Falls, MN, Corlynne (Randy) Jorde of Thief River Falls, MN, Jodell Usitalo (special friend, Rick Dessellier) of Lake Linden, MI, and Nancy (James) Thompson of Chandler, AZ; daughter-in-law, Annette Swanson of Thief River Falls, MN; 17 grandchildren: Kara (Josh) Balmer, Mathew (Heather) LeMoine, Toni (Luke) Olson, Adam (Jessica) Swanson, Michael Swanson, Ben (Kristen) Sullivan, Shannon Sullivan, Sarah Sullivan, Kristine (Nathan) Anderson, Elizabeth (John) Petersen, Katie (Lance) Schiltz, Samantha Jorde, Mikkel Jorde, Taylor Usitalo, Lindsey Usitalo, Joby Thompson and Jason Thompson; 13 great grandchildren: Whitney, Hunter, Kobe, Koen, Kathryn, Anna, Carson, Gavin, Ann, Aedan, Ingrid, Paul and Betsy; sister, Donna Manning of Thief River Falls, MN; sister-in-law, Barb Hoard of Thief River Falls, MN; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband; sons, Mark and Michael; sister, Elaine Koop; brothers: Robert and Eric and her parents.