Verla M. Swenson

VERLA MAE SWENSON was born on October 31, 1933 to Alvin and Anna (Hefner) Bunkers on the family farm, south of Chester, South Dakota. During her teenage years, the family moved to a farm west of Chester. Verla graduated as valedictorian of her class at Chester High School in 1952. She then attended Sioux Valley School of Nursing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she graduated with her RN in 1955. It was during this time, that she met James “Doc” Swenson. The couple was united in marriage on August 31, 1957. While Jim attended veterinary school at the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities, Verla worked nearby as a nurse at Bethesda Hospital. Jim graduated from school in 1963 and the couple moved to Jasper, Minnesota. In Jasper, Verla was a stay at home mother to their four children. As her children got older she helped out at the vet clinic in various capacities. Jim preceded her in death on August 5, 2001. In June of 2008, she became a resident of Jasper Sunrise Village. On September 6, 2015, Verla died peacefully under hospice care at Sanford Luverne Hospital at the age of 81 years, 8 months and 5 days.

Verla was a member of the Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was a lifetime member of the Jasper Legion Auxiliary. She was an avid reader and also enjoyed puzzles and games, particularly word searches, soduko and scrabble. As a young girl she enjoyed drawing and riding horses. Verla had a big heart. She was always looking out for other people, and was a caring, loving person.

Verla is survived by her children, Jim Swenson of Jasper, Steve (Kristine) Swenson of Jasper, Dawn Alexander and her special friend, Hong Jun of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Laura Swenson of Jasper; eight grandchildren, Emily (Gene) Casuse, Tony (Brittney) Swenson, Cole Swenson, Zach Swenson, Austin Swenson, Josiah Jun, Jonah Alexander and Johannah Alexander; six great-grandchildren, Hailee, Gunnar, Griffith, Alanah, Trista and Kenna; and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brothers, Virgil Bunkers and Elwin Bunkers; sister, Mavis Alverez; and infant sisters, AnnaBelle and Nadine.