Alta Swanson
July 18, 1923 ~ October 24, 2025
Alta Sophie (Abelseth) Swanson, age 102, passed away in her home in Aurora, Colorado on October 24, 2025. She was born July 18,1923 to Hans Peter Jorgen Abelseth and Sally Amanda Larsen in rural Perkins County South Dakota, near Ralph. She lived a long and fulfilling life defined by her Norwegian heritage and culture of egalitarianism which included strong faith, connection to nature, and modesty. Alta and Norman E. Swanson married in Pennington Country, South Dakota, on November 3,1945. They later moved to Wichita, Kansas where they raised their two sons, Hal D. and Brett G. Swanson.
Alta acquired skills as a seamstress and showed her love for others by making clothes for her neighbors. She built a remarkable career with Crain Chemical Company of Dallas, Texas where she covered the entire state of Kansas until 1983. At that time she retired to care for her husband who passed away in October, 1983. In later years, she began work with the American Red Cross and continued with that agency until 2002. Alta was an active member of her community and of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas.
Alta is survived and missed by her siblings Fred Abelseth and Arleen Abelseth Silliman; her son Hal Swanson; her grandchildren Eric, Kyle, Ryan, Miguel, and Aaron; her great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings Harold Abelseth, Gudrun Romness, and Norman Abelseth; and her son, Brett Swanson.
The funeral service will take place at Stork & Morley Memorial Chapel in Lakewood, Colorado on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 3:00 MST with viewing beginning at 2:00. The service will be live streamed at https://bxcited.com/alta-sophie-swanson/. The burial will be on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 2:30 MST at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota, where Alta will be laid to rest with her husband, Norman. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in her memory to the American Red Cross or to The Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas.
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She Shared her Yummy and Delicious Recipes and even gave me several of her recipe cards. I was Fascinated hearing all of her stories as a girl growing up and her married life and Struggles with Norman and Making the dollar stretch to feed her family. I Never knew you could do so much with just potatoes and rice. My Favorite Memories of her was us cooking together in her kitchen in Wichita or Our Kitchen when she would come and visit. She was an Absolute God Send when she came to Help while I was recovering from West Nile. I came Home with a walker and I was very weak. She Cooked All of Our Wonderful Hot Meals and fed Our Boy’s Every Morning and saw them off to school. That was the time that Our Boy’s really Bonded with their Grandma. Looking back I am very Grateful for that. I remember Everything that she told me and I remember Everything that she Showed me. I will Cherish all of them.I am very Thankful that Hal and Alta got to come out to San Diego for Ryan’s Bootcamp Graduation even though she had that Terrible Fall. God is so Good and Gracious. Ryan was so Happy that they came to see his Miraculous, Well Deserved Graduation that he worked so Hard for. We all Enjoyed his Celebration Dinner afterwards. We will Never Forget the Christmas Eve Dinner that We got to spend with Hal and Alta in 2023. Watching them Both working in the kitchen was really Neat to see. Hal Treated us with a Scrumptious Delightful Buffalo Brisket that was so Tender and Mouth Watering. He Paired a Perfect Wine as always to go with it that just melted in your mouth like Butter. Our Amazing Dinner’s that We got to do with them Both at restaurants and at their house. We will Never Forget that Special Precious Time spent Together and We have Our Pictures for Our Memories to look back on. Alta became my second Mother after losing my own. Which meant A lot to me. She will Forever be Missed but she will continue to live on in Our Hearts. Losing Our Family is so Hard and it gives us New Perspectives on Our Own Lives. It shows us how very Fragile and limited our lives are. She has now been reunited with her Husband, Parents, Sister’s and Brothers and she is Happy and Smiling down on us all.
We’re so sorry about the passing of your grandmother and Hal’s mother. May God give you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Love and prayers,
Mike, Debbie and David Jamski
Hold on to the Memories, let them guide you during this Time of Sadness 😢When the Lord calls our loved ones home, he leaves a gift of memories in exchange for.
Sorry for your loss .
Alta was a very gracious, kind, elegant friend, a true lady whose friendliness always made me feel very welcome. She was my brother-in-law’s mother, and I enjoyed every time I was able to visit with her. The last time I saw her was April of 2023, and although she needed a walker to get around, she was still very upbeat and outgoing. I cherish her memory. I also loved the strong roots of her Norwegian heritage and her love for her family. Our love and prayers are with Hal and the family.