Obituary: Swenson, Harland Vince “Hal”
Age 73
Harland Vince “Hal”
Harland (Hal) went home to Heaven on February 24, 2012.
He was born the middle child of five siblings to Carl and Alene Swenson on August 15, 1938 in Spokane, WA.
He attended Grant Elementary School and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1956.
Starting as a “box boy” in 1955, at the Albertson’s on Sprague and Havana, Harland began what would become a long career in the grocery business.
He would often spend his lunch breaks sitting at the store’s soda fountain where he met the love of his life, Elizabeth (Betsy) who worked as a “soda jerk”.
Harland married his sweet-heart, Betsy, in 1958 remaining married for nearly 50 yrs until Betsy’s home going in 2007.
Together they raised seven children and opened their home to numerous foster children whom they loved as dearly as their own.
In his thirties Harland accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior whom he relied upon to see him through the many trials of life.
Harland loved to both play and watch the games of baseball and hockey.
He was also an outstanding grocer and worked many years for Albertsons before opening his own grocery store called Swenson’s Warehouse Foods.
He also worked for Super Value and Yoke’s.
He was known for the best lawn in the neighborhood with never a weed and will be remembered most for his wickedly dry sense of humor, his Swedish pride, his faith in God, and above all, his love for his family.
Harland is preceded in death by his beautiful wife Betsy, his older brother Kenny Swenson, and his mother Alene Swenson.
He is survived by his children; MaryAnne (Randy) Vigil, Elizabeth Bissonnette (John) Camastro, Chad Swenson, Gordon Provinsal, Sally (Craig) Brandvold, Kathy (Glenn) Wagemann, and Torre Swenson; fourteen grandchildren; two brothers Keith Swenson and Don Swenson; and one sister Linda White.
A memorial service will be held on March 10, 2012, at 11:00 am at the Berean Bible Church, 10910 E. Boone Ave, Spokane Valley, WA.
The family wishes to thank Sunshine Gardens for the amazing love, care, and respect they showed to Harland.
In lieu of flowers, you may give a memorial contribution made in Harland’s name to; Sunshine Gardens 10410 E. 9th Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99206.