Lillian Alida (Larson) Swanson
June 6,1904- January 30, 2007
Lillian was born June 6, 1904 in Union, North
Dakota, the first child of Johannes (John) Larson
who had immigrated from Sweden and Tilda
Randine (Underbakke)Olson whose parents had
immigrated from Norway. In 1908 she moved
north with her family (Parents and her two year
old sister, Gerda) to a homestead near Kuroki,
SK. They lived with her mother’s family (the
Olson’s) until a rough house was built, which was
later replaced by a log house. In 1910 when she
was 6 they moved into Kiroki where her father
started working with the Canadian National
Railroad. For the next four years, they lived “in
town” for the summers and on the homestead
during the winter. Her siblings Hank, Betsy,
Anne, and Melvin were born in Kuroki. She met
Godfred “Jim” Swanson, also a railway worker
and married him in 1923. Her first child, Joseph
was born in 1924 and Thelma in 1926. In 1936
Jim took a job as Section Foreman and the family
moved back and forth between Hudson Bay
Junction, The Pas, Cantyre, Chemong, Westray,
Cote and finally Paswegin. In the fall of 1954
Lillian and Jim retired to Westbank where she
lived until 1996. From there Lillian stayed in
private homes in Penticton, Westbank, and her
last 2 years in Kelowna.
Lillian was sadly predeceased by her husband
Jim 1974, son Joseph 1996, daughter Thelma
Wiens 2006, and 4 out of 5 siblings. She
is survived by her brother Melvin, 7 Wiens
grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, a great
great grandchild and many nieces and nephews.
Two weeks prior to her passing Lillian confided
in her family, saying “You know, I’ve never felt
old” perhaps explaining the reason
for her great longevity.
Funeral Service was held on Saturday,
February 3, 2007 at 1:00 pm at
Rosedale Memorial Chapel, 13205 Rosedale
Avenue, Summerland, BC. with Reverend Sid
Waterman officiating. Interment took place
Monday, February 5, 2007 at 1:00 pm at
Lakeview Memorial Gardens, Kelowna, BC
Condolences may be directed to the family by
email: summerlandfuneralhome@telus.net
Funeral arrangements entrusted to: