Betty Virginia Swenson

Betty Virginia Swenson, 83, passed away December 20, 2016 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Betty was born November 4, 1933 in Salina, Kansas to E. Leonard Nelson and Myrtle (Hanson) of Assaria Kansas and spent most of her young life in rural Kansas where Swedes abound. She graduated from high school at 16, and went on to graduate from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas with a degree in Math Education.She married her class rival and best friend, Bill Swenson, in 1955, spending their first years in Alabama and Texas, where Bill served his military obligations and mom tried her hand at picking cotton (only once). They then moved to Manhattan, KS for postgraduate study and the adventure of new parenthood in a trailer park.They then spent eight years in one big city (Poughkeepsie, NY) completing their family, before moving to another (Longmont, CO), where they established their forever home. Here Betty carved her career in service to others, actively supporting her church, and community through volunteerism and leadership positions. From 1985 to 1992, she represented Longmont in the Colorado Legislature and was integral to passing the funding of Coors Stadium and other initiatives, remaining active in politics her whole life. She was chosen to represent Colorado as Mother of the Year in 1985, and spent her remaining years supporting that organization's work with new mothers and strong families.Betty's passion was for creating beautiful things from fabric and yarn clothes, quilts, sweaters, sleeping bags, granny panties and waking up her children with the noisy kneading of wheat bread. She travelled all over the world and hit every continent except one (Antarctica). She was attuned to the family ancestry and prided herself in finding relatives dead or alive--in every corner of the world.She is fondly remembered by her husband, Bill Swenson, and children: Julie Reusser (Willy), David Swenson, and Joy Swenson (Michael Queneau), her beloved sister, Marylen Anderson (Richard) and seven grandchildren: Signe, Mark, Leslie, Carolyn, Sarah, Ross and Marc; five great grandchildren, as well a bevy of Viking relatives all who will miss her generosity of spirit, wicked humor, and appreciation for all life has to offer¦especially very cold, very dark beer.Memorial Services will be at 2:30 PM, Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Longmont. In honor of Betty, the family requests to wear something with color. Contributions can be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Cremation entrusted to Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory and private inurnment at a later time at Ryssby Cemetery. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.