Virginia May Swenson

          VIRGINIA MAY SWENSON January 10, 1926 – May 18, 2017         Virginia May Swenson, age 91, a long time Ponsford area resident, formerly of Fallbrook, CA and Bussey, IA, peacefully entered Heaven’s glory on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at the Frazee Care Center in Frazee following a short illness.       Virginia was born on January 10, 1926 in Grand Park Township of Becker County, near Rochert, MN to Ole and Lydia (Clifton) Jellum.  As a small child she moved with her family to a farm out on the Ponsford Prairie.  She attended the Andrews School near her parent’s farm.  As a young woman she ventured to Detroit Lakes, MN where she met her future husband at a dance at the lake.  She was united in marriage to Everett Godfrey in 1944.  This union was blessed with three sons and a daughter who died at birth.  Virginia devoted her life to caring for her husband and three sons and making a warm and loving home.  The young family lived in Bussey, Iowa until 1959 when they moved to Southern CA.  In 1973, they moved to Fallbrook, CA where a short time later Everett died at a young age.  Virginia continued living at Fallbrook where she worked as a quality control inspector for the Olive Hill Greenhouses which was owned and operated by her eldest son, Tony and his wife, Sue.  In 1984 she moved back to Ponsford, MN where on November 10, 1984 she was united in marriage to Jeff Swenson at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Snellman.  After 31 wonderful years together, she was preceded in death by Jeff in August of 2015.  In October of that same year, she experienced the death of her youngest son, Don and in November the death of her sister, Rosie.  Virginia was sustained by the love of her family and her strong faith in God.  She was an active and longtime member of the Gethsemane Lutheran Church and had been very active in the work and ministry of the Ladies Aid where she served as treasurer for many years.  She was blessed with a green thumb and throughout her lifetime planted and nurtured a large vegetable garden into fruitful abundance.  Above all, Virginia will be long remembered for her selfless devotion to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who she loved with all her heart.       Virginia will be lovingly remembered by her sons: Tony and wife, Sue Godfrey of Fallbrook, CA, Robert and wife, Brenda Godfrey of Crest Hill, IL and Jon Swenson of Ponsford, MN; her dearly loved grandchildren and great grandchildren; her sister, Janice Latto of Frazee; and her sister-in-law, Arlys Weaver of Bemidji as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.       She was preceded in death by her two husbands: Everett and Jeff; her five sisters: Agnes, Bernice, Verna, Rosie and Dorothy; and her two brothers: Robert and Lloyd.       Funeral services will be held 11 AM Monday, May 22, 2017 at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Snellman with the Rev. Scott Muehlberg officiating.  The organist will be Sue Zick.  The soloist will be Del King who will sing, “In The Garden” and “The Lord’s Prayer”.  The active casket bearers will be: James Pihlaja, Duane Pihlaja, Tony Harris, Russ Mattson, Dan Breitbach and Lawrence Sunram.  The honorary casket bearers will be: Sharon Pihlaja, Linda Harris, Judy Mattson, Sandy Stilke and Linda Pihlaja.  Interment will be made next to her husband, Jeff at the Linnell cemetery near Ponsford.  Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church.  A luncheon will be hosted by the church family following the funeral.  To leave on line condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com