Nov. 18, 2023
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Willmette Joan (Van Heuveln) Swanson, 89, currently of Laurens, South Carolina, formerly of Litchfield and Prinsburg, passed away Nov. 18 at Hospice House in Laurens County. Celebration of life program will be 2-5 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at 3 B's Hall in Litchfield (West Fifth Street).
Willmette was born Oct. 15, 1934 to Bertus and Willemina "Minnie" (Bonnema) of Prinsburg. She grew up in the Prinsburg area where they made their family home. She had a lovely voice and enjoyed singing. As a child, she and her sisters performed at U.S.O. shows and later for a time on a weekly radio program.
In 1951, Wilmette married John O. Swanson of Clara City. From this union they were blessed with four children, Lonna, Jon, Melanie and Eric. During her married life she was actively involved with Cub Scouts and taught piano lessons. She worked for Woolworths, Lucky Dollar and Fingerhut before attending school in St. Cloud where she received her accounting degrees. She worked for Cenex in Litchfield for many years before moving with John to Laurens, South Carolina. Willmette found employment in her field while living in Laurens. She loved to travel; most times ending up at the casino at Cherokee.
She is survived by her husband, John of St. Cloud; four children, Lonna Ortloff of Sauk Rapids, Jon (Colleen) Swanson of Hutchinson, Melanie (Howard) Klug of Williston, North Dakota and Eric Swanson of Litchfield; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; one sibling, Berton (Sandy) Van Heuveln of Elbow Lake.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Donna, Wanda and Maureen; one brother, LeMar.
