Lyla Darlene (Bjork) Swanson — Cannon Falls

Lyla Darlene (nee Bjork) Swanson, 82, of Cannon Falls, died peacefully at her home at Twin Rivers Senior Campus on Wednesday morning, July 24, 2013.

Lyla was born the youngest child of Albert C. and Minda (Halverson) Bjork on Aug, 14, 1930, in Manns Township, Stutsman County, N.D. She was baptized and confirmed at Marion Lutheran Church in Marion, N.D., and attended high school in Marion. She graduated from Cannon Falls High School in 1948, and attended North Dakota State University. She married Virgil M. Swanson on Sept. 17, 1949, at St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls. They farmed in Leon Township and were active members of Spring Garden Lutheran Church.

Lyla was active in Willing Workers, church council, choir, Sunday school and Bible studies. She was also a 4-H leader of Spring Garden Jolly Juniors for 18 years, and involved with the Leonites Home Study through Goodhue County Extension Services. She was also a volunteer driver and visited many shut-ins. She will be lovingly remembered for her humble heart and gracious spirit by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil on Jan. 28, 2002; her parents; sister, Jeanette (Carroll) Bogue; brothers, Clarence and Alton (Adeline) Bjork; sister-in-law, Edna Bjork; and godchild, Judith Ann Dusk.

She is survived by her children, Jerry (Mary Kay) Swanson of Rochester, Darlene (John) Kelley of Rochester, Mary Lynn Swanson of Bozeman, Mont., Janyce (Larry) Coon of Webster, and Lois (Marty) Shades of Cannon Falls; seven grandchildren, Erica Runkle, Carina (Justin) Johnston, Lisa (Shawn) Kelley Mahoney, Kalli Shades, Keoni Swanson, Kaleb Shades and Carter Shades; three great-grandchildren, Aaron Holst, Shannon Mahoney and Dylan Johnston; brother, Maynard Bjork of Des Moines, Iowa; sister, Myra (Robert) Nagel of Jamestown, N.D.; sister-in-law, Helen Bjork of Delavan, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 27, at 2 p.m., with visitation from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., at Spring Garden Lutheran Church, with Pastor Cindy Fisher-Broin officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorials are preferred to Spring Garden Lutheran Church.

Arrangements by Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls.

Online condolences may be directed to lundbergfuneral.com .