Obituary of Leila Swanson

Leila Beatrice Swanson passed away at the Cold Lake Hospital, Cold Lake, Alberta on Friday, May 1st, 2020 at the age of 88 years. Leila was born in 1931 at the Lloydminster Hospital to Asberry and Zorel Ford.

Leila grew up on a farm north of Lloydminster in the Jumbo Hill District and took her first nine years of schooling there. She did her high school by correspondence and after one year of being a supervisor at Clear Range School, she went to Bible School at Canadian Bible School in Regina with her sister, Edna, for one year. Upon returning she supervised one year at Lavada School.

It was while taking her correspondence exams for high school that she met her future life partner, Albin. She stayed at his parents home and the courtship began. On June 15th, 1954, she married Albin Swanson and this union was blessed with three children. The Swansons lived in Marwayne for 60+ years and operated Swanson's Meat Market and Slaughter House and Swanson's Groceries. They retired from business in 2001 and in recent years moved near Cold Lake to live with their youngest daughter, Sylvia, and her husband Ron.

Leila loved her family dearly. Although she had a quiet nature, she had a quick smile, a sense of humor, and has left a legacy of grace, kindness and faith. Her home was always a busy place and filled with friends, family, food, and fun. She was especially popular with her grandkids for her wonderful homemade buns. Her interests were many and even in her later years, could not find time to do all the things she loved to do.

On April 21st, 2020, Leila suffered a stroke and 10 days later, went to be with the Lord she loved.
Leila is survived by: her loving, husband of almost 66 years, Albin; one son, Grant (Karen) Swanson of Bucerias, Mexico; two daughters, Connie (Norm) Coleman of Wainwright, Alberta and Sylvia (Ron) Hewitt of Cold Lake, Alberta; seven grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one more on the way; one brother, Roland Ford (Mary) of Edmonton, AB;  two sisters, Edna Younghans of Lloydminster, AB and Virginia Krueger (Oscar) of Kelowna, B.C.

Leila was predeceased by: her parents, Asberry and Zorel Ford; mother and father-in-law, Dick and Evelyn Swanson; brothers-in-law, Frank Younghans and Russel Swanson; and sister-in-law, Janet Maerz.

A celebration of Leila's life will be held at a future date that allows for family and friends to gather.

Donations in memory of Leila may be made to the Gideons International of Canada.