Solveig Swanson, age 70, of Prior Lake, MN, formerly of Richfield, MN, was welcomed home to her Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 31, 2019. She passed at her home, with family present, at her bedside.
All of Solveig services will be at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (833 South Marschall Road) in Shakopee. A visitation will be Friday, September 6, from 4-7 pm and from 10-11 prior to the Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 7, at 11 am, followed by a luncheon. Pastor Randy Brandt will preside, with pall bearers being Brandon Dukes, Chris Dukes, David Noordzy, Eric Olsen, Rebecca Wangerin, Sheila Noordzy. Interment at Spring Lake Cemetery, in Prior Lake.
On November 17, 1948, in Waverly, IA, Solveig Dorothy was born to Rev. Perry and Evelyn (Halverson) Brown. She was the middle of three daughters, growing up in Colter, IA. The family spent Saturday nights watching the Lawrence Welk Show, shining their shoes and the girls setting their hair. While in high school, Solveig worked for Northrup King maintaining the seed plots. She became efficient in typing 72 words per minutes with no errors! Solveig loved music and played for the school plays and choir. She was the President of the Senior Class and the National Honor Society. Solveig graduated from CAL Community High School, in Latimer, IA, in 1967.
Solveig furthered her education for two years in the vocal music major program at Luther College, in Decorah, IA, then undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota and graduated from Augsburg College, with a Bachelor of Art Degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in music, in 1971.
Solveig had an amazing career in paid and unpaid positions. She was an elementary teacher in Minnesota, Idaho and Wisconsin. Solveig taught private piano lessons and was an educational tutor. She was also an interior decorator and designer. Solveig took these talents to Donaldson Department Store, Montgomery Wards, a host of other companies and also did free-lanced work. In the early 1980’s, she wrote a weekly natural food column, called “Simply Solveig” for the Duluth News Tribune and the Mesabi Daily News. In her spare time, Solveig was a Shaklee Independent Distributor, wrote articles for The Magazine for Wives in Ministry, one chapter in Home School Burnout and was awarded a book contact by Paraclete Press.
Solveig was also dedicated to her community and church. She worked as a supervisor, coordinator, choir director and grant writer for the Minnesota Teen Challenge. Solveig was a member of the MN Department of Education/Minnesota Legislature Task Force and co-developer of the Home Educators and Youth (a support group in Northern MN.) She spent decades supporting her church and husband in many roles in church ministry; council, Sunday School, music director, worship planner, etc.
Life was the riches for Solveig becoming the beloved wife to Bruce Robert Swanson. On June 6, 1970, in Charles City, IA, they declared their love to each other. Solveig and Bruce were blessed with two children, Andrew and Meghan. She loved home schooling her children, taking Sunday afternoon drives with the family and watching movies. Solveig was most proud of being a grandma to Ian and Gabby. She passed her love of music on to her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed musicals, especially the Sound of Music and the sights and sounds of Lake Superior.
Solveig was devoted to her faith. She had such a deep love for her Lord and Savior. Solveig had a subtle way of preaching the Gospel, to others. She loved buying bibles for family and friends. Solveig loved making life special, fun and celebrating the little things in life.
Carrying on the amazing legacy of Solveig will be her husband of 49 years, Bruce; son, Andy (Shawna) Swanson; daughter, Meghan (John) Yang; grandchildren, Ian Swanson and Gabriella Yang; sister, Perilyn Brown Olsen; brother-in-law, Gary Dukes; other relatives and friends.
There to welcome Solveig home in heaven is her daughter, Katherine Solveig Swanson; parents, Rev. Perry and Evelyn and sisters, Carla Dukes and Paula Brown.
