Alta Swanson

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.