Leah E Swenson

Leah Electa (Johnson) Swenson, aged 95 passed away peacefully on Friday, December 4, 2015 at Valley View Healthcare and Rehab where she has resided since March of 2006. Leah was born February 7, 1920 to Carl Alfred and Eleanor (Senn) Johnson in Looney Valley, MN. She graduated from Houston High School in 1936 at age 16 and attended Bethel College. She cared for her father and ten year old brother, Ardy after her mother passed away in 1941. Leah married Wayne Swenson in 1947 and they were the parents of one son, Mark. After they were married they cared for children at the Klingberg Home in New Britain, CT and then became the Superintendent ofSunny Ridge Children's Home in Wheaton, IL until 1968.Leah and Wayne returned to Houston and were very active at Houston Baptist Church until their retirement to Kissimmee, Florida in 1986.Leah was an avid reader despite having injured her left eye at age four leaving her with only light and dark shadows in that eye. She had an excellent long term memory nearly to the end and was very entertaining with her stories from the past. Being a dinner guest at their home was always a treat as Leah was an excellent cook. Leah and Wayne loved adventure and followed the path of their son, Mark when he sailed down the Mississippi River in 1977. Leah and Wayne set sail from Brownsville, MN on October 27, 1983 for their 1,590 mile trip in their 26 foot stihlcraft cruiser named VATEM HELM (Swedish for Water Boat) and reached Slidell, LA on December 10th. The family was always relieved toreceive telephone calls along the way. Leah and Wayne traveled to 48 of the 50 states often as guests of the children they help raise. Leah and Wayne returned to Houston and were very active at the Houston Baptist Church. The started a "Pairs and Spares" group for ages 20 and over and entertained them frequently at the red house in the country. In 1986, they retired to the Good Samaritan Village in Kissimmee, FL and were pleased to have so many visitors. They also joined and became active in the First Baptist Church.Leah was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wayne; brothers, Alton (Jewel), Lloyd, and Ardy (Shirley); nephew, David Johnson; cousin, Burns Benson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Warren and Ruby Swenson.She is survived by her son, Mark and his wife, Judy of Marathon, FL. sister-in-law Lyla Johnson of Houston; nephews, Peter (Jeanne), Tom (Ginny), Eric (Sheri) of Houston, Dale (Suzanne) of Fort Collins, CO, Gordon of St. Paul, MN, Philip (Don Donahugh) of Minneapolis, MN, Michael of Vashon Island, WA, Sheldon Swenson of Houston; nieces, Sharon Carlson (Bill) of Bovey, MN, Cathy Tumelson (Lee) of Riggins, ID; Cousins-in-law, Jeanette and Sarah Benson of Richfield, MN and many other relatives and friends.