Elizabeth Swenson, 92, peacefully slept into the arms of her Lord, on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at Thief River Care Center, Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, November 29, 2008 at the Mission Covenant Church in Viking, MN with Rev. Jim Robberstad officiating. Burial will follow in the Wildwood Cemetery, New Solum Township, Marshall County, MN.

Visitation will be 5-8 Friday, November 28, 2008 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Saturday.

Elizabeth was born on January 26, 1916, in Hill Township, Kittson County, Minnesota, the daughter of Samuel and Emma (Heidrich) Johnson. Elizabeth attended Riverside Grade School and graduated from Pembina High School. She was united in marriage to Roy Copeland on October 23, 1937 and from this union 7 children were raised. They lived in several towns in northeastern North Dakota and in the early 50s moved to the Rosewood area, rural Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Roy died September 16, 1968. Elizabeth continued to live in the Rosewood area.

On March 8, l975, Elizabeth married Arthur Swenson of rural Thief River Falls, this union added 2 stepchildren. They continued to make their home in Rosewood and after retirement enjoyed several years of traveling. In the fall of 1994, they moved to Thief River Falls and made their home at Gundersons Apartments. Art died June 20, 1995.

Elizabeth worked outside the home for 30 + years doing various types of work with the most being cook/kitchen manager for Ingas Cafe, Thief River Falls. She wrote the Viking News for the local news papers for many years and retired at the age of 89. She was a volunteer for Marshall County Social Services.

Elizabeth was a member of Viking Covenant Church; Covenant Women and Rosewood Homemakers and the Sexton for Wildwood Cemetery for 18 years. Elizabeth enjoyed sewing, reading, traveling and visiting with friends and neighbors. Since June lst, 2007 Elizabeth has resided at the Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls.

She is survived by 5 children: Carolyn (Rodney) Grandstrand, Maple Plain, Mn.; Marion (Glenn) Halvorson, Fosston, Mn; Arlene (Floyd) Erickson, Thief River Falls, Mn. ; Bill (Angie) Copeland, Senoia, Ga. and Gene (Debbie) Copeland, Malta, Mt. and 2 step-children: Darrell (Shirley) Swenson, Red Lake Falls, Mn. and Allen (Randi) Swenson, Thief River Falls, Mn. 17 grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; a sister Margaret Kirkeby, Thief River Falls, MN; 3 nieces: Earlene Laudin, Barneveld, Wi; Doris Rodriques, Oregon City, Or; Marlys Escobar, Grand Forks, ND and friend Gloria Wheeler, Thief River Falls, Mn.

She was preceded in death, by her parents, her husbands Roy, 1968 and Art, 1995; son: Leland Copeland, 1996; daughter: Virginia Ginny McGlynn, 1995; 2 grandchildren: Jason Erickson, 1992; John McGlynn, 1996; l great-grandchild: Nichalus Trochman , 1992; 1 son-in-law: Larry Knutson, 1967; 1 brother-in-law: Earl Kirk Kirkeby,1985.