Ellie was granted peace when she passed away in the early sunrise hours of August 14, 2021:
“What must it be to step on shore and find it Heaven, to take hold of a hand and find it God’s hand,
“To breathe new air and find it celestial air, to feel invigorated and find it immortality,
“To rise from the care and turmoil of earth into one unbroken calm. to wake up and find it Glory.” -Author unknown
Ellie was the seventh child born to Ole and Emma Vikse on November 29, 1918, in Ostrander, Minn. Ellie’s youth included helping father Ole with farming chores and helping mother Emma with cooking, baking, and housekeeping. In 1936 she married Lyle Swenson, they lived on a small farm where she subsequently gave birth to their son, Robert Duane. They moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., where Lyle had been offered a job. In March of 1943, Ellie gave birth to a daughter, Eileen Marie. They became active members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and made many enduring friendships. Lyle and Ellie moved to Bradenton, Fla., where they enjoyed bicycles races through the mobile home park, Lyle on his bicycle and Ellie on her adult tricycle. They returned to Minnesota and lived in Spring Valley. They were members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Ellie loved going out to lunch and playing cards with her many friends. In 2015, Ellie’s diagnosis of dementia made it clear she could no longer live by herself, so she was moved to Yucaipa, Calif., where she lived with her daughter for six years till she passed.
Ellie was preceded in death by her husband Lyle, her son Robert (Bob) of Belmont, Mich.; her parents Ole and Emma Vikse, her siblings: Esther Nelson (Clifford), Gladys Olson (Jerene), Cora Hellickson (Lindeman), Mae Amdahl (Johnny), Ed Vikse (Edna) and Art Vikse (Minnie).
She is survived by loving nephews and nieces, countless friends, and her daughter Eileen Swenson, of Yucaipa, Calif.