Aloha Swenson

Aloha Swenson
Feb. 14, 1933 - Dec. 28, 2017


Aloha Swenson, age 84, of Spicer, died Thursday morning, December 28, at the Belgrade Nursing Home.

A prayer service for Aloha will be held at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 2, at Faith Lutheran Church in Spicer. Visitation with a light meal will follow at the church from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday at the church. Memorials given in Aloha's memory will be used to help children in need. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Green Lake Funeral Home in Spicer.


Aloha Jean Swenson was born February 14, 1933, in Litchfield, Minnesota, the daughter of William and Alice (Scholl) Heairet. She grew up and received her education in Litchfield, graduating from Litchfield High School. On August 25, 1951, she married Elroy Swenson at Bethel Lutheran Church in Willmar. They lived in Spicer, Sparta WI. and Delano before moving back to the Swenson family farm west of Spicer, where they lived and farmed for many years.

She helped out on the farm while raising her five children. She later volunteered at the elementary school library and later was employed as a teacher's aide at Prairie Woods Elementary School in New London and often donated coats and school supplies for students in need. She was a wonderful baker and was known as the "bread lady" to many in the area. "Aloha from Spicer" was also a frequent caller to WCCO radio. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, where she had served as superintendent of Sunday school and organized vacation Bible school. She enjoyed cooking, reading and gardening, and spent winters planning her spring plantings. She also loved animals, especially her dogs who brought her so much joy and companionship.

Aloha touched many lives, she had a huge heart and would give the coat off her back to anyone who needed it. She was a free spirit who expressed her beliefs openly. She stood up for what was right, good and fair and never backed down. Aloha had many talents but it was her love for children that stood out more than any. She will be greatly missed!


She is survived by her children: Pamela (and Mark) Olson of Willmar, Michelle Swenson Cole of New London, Jodi Lee (and special friend Mark) of New London, Jill Hartman of Willmar, and Jon (and Tamara) Swenson of Willmar; thirteen grandchildren: Nikki, Allison, Jordan, Joshua, Christopher, Nathan, Jamie, David, Aaron, Laura, Paul, Caleb, and McKenna; and fourteen great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law: Donald Swenson; and two sisters-in-law: Donna Heairet and Donna Heairet (as Aloha would say, "Yes, there are two of them").

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Elroy in 1985; a granddaughter: Angela; a grandson: Adam; three brothers: Bill, Darrell, and LaMonte; two sisters: Lucille and Patricia; and a special niece, Mary Jo.