Thelma Inez Swenson, age 94, of St. Johns Lutheran Home passed away on July 23, 2012. She was born in Dodson, Montana, on July 17, 1918. Thelma graduated from Turner High School and attended Northern Montana College in Havre and Eastern Montana College in Billings for one year each and then taught school in rural Richland County for two years.
While she was teaching, Thelma met and married Stanley Swenson. Thelma and Stanley moved to the family farm at Sioux Pass, Montana in 1942 and remained there until 1955. Over the next forty years, work and retirement moved Thelma and Stanley to Fairview, Havre, Sidney, and Hamilton. In addition to family, during this time many friends and acquaintances became part of Thelma’s life and have remained important contacts for her
Thelma is survived by two sons, a daughter, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Son Merrill (Shaula) of Bozeman, Montana; son Arlen of West Chester, Ohio; and daughter Nina (Christopher Maxwell) of Aiken, South Carolina.
Thelma was predeceased by Stanley in 1995, son Larry in 1996, father Ingval Rude, mother Hilma Slotsve, brothers Burnell and Jimmy Lee, and sisters Evelyn and Doris. After Stanley’s passing, Thelma moved to Billings, living on Monad Avenue, and then moving to St. Johns. Thelma’s final wish was to have her ashes sprinkled on the hill of the family farm near Fairview, where she had sprinkled Stanley’s ashes previously.
A memorial service was held on Sunday, July 29, 2012 at 3 p.m. at the St. Johns Lutheran Home Chapel, 3940 Rimrock Road, Billings, Montana. Smith Funeral Chapels of Billings was in charge of arrangements. The family suggests that memorials may be made to St. Johns or the charity of one’s choice.
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