Ella Swenson

Ella M. Swenson, age 60, of Willmar, formerly of the Sunburg area, died Wednesday afternoon, May 3rd, from injuries received in a motor vehicle accident near Clara City.

Funeral services will be 2 P.M. Saturday at the Sunburg Free Lutheran Church with Rev. Ronald Knutson officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Friday at the Sunburg Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Ella Swenson was born January 10, 1946, in Brooten, the daughter of Gladys (Frovold) and Gilbert Swenson. She grew up in the rural Sunburg community, attended nearby rural schools, was baptized and confirmed at the Sunburg Free Lutheran Church and graduated from Brooten High School in 1964. Following her graduation, she began employment at Jennie-O Foods in Willmar, where she worked for 33 years. She lived on the family farm near Sunburg most of her life. On April 27, 1972, she was blessed with a son, Richard Swenson. She moved to Willmar a number of years ago. She was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Willmar.

She is survived by her son, Richard Swenson (and his life partner, Rob Denk) of St. Cloud; eight siblings, Bev Ahlquist of Willmar, Deloris (and Ardell) Marquardt of Sunburg, Gynther Swenson of Granada, Mary (and Dennis) Peters of Hazel Run, Shirley Orvik of Fargo, North Dakota, Gordon Swenson of Sunburg, Linda (and Dennis) Erdman of Benson and Gloria Swenson of Terrace; several step-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Gaylen in 2005 and her special friend, Gene Schmeiling who was also killed in the accident.