Harriet Idalia (Miller) Swenson, 91, of Wells, died Saturday, July 13, 2013, at Parkview Care Center in Wells from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at United Methodist Church in Wells. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. The Rev. Tom Biatek will officiate and burial will be in Dunbar Memorial Cemetery, Minnesota Lake Township in Faribault County following the service. Please see www.brussheitner.com to leave online condolences. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is in charge of arrangements.

Harriet Idalia Swenson was born on Oct. 20, 1921, in Vivian Township, the daughter of August and Lydia (Roesler) Miller. She married the love of her life, Vernon Swenson, June 6, 1948, in Wells, and they remained together for 63 years. She attended country school in the Wells area. Harriet sold Avon and worked at the Wells School for many years — the schoolchildren knew her as the “lunch lady.” The job she loved most was taking care of her family. Harriet loved reading the newspaper and would often clip articles to share with family and friends. She enjoyed embroidery, sewing and cooking — she gave many of her projects as gifts and could come up with a meal in minutes. Harriet loved music and could play the piano, guitar and accordion by ear. She enjoyed visiting and anyone she met did not remain a stranger for long — she was a compassionate person and a good listener. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren baking cookies, playing games or talking. Harriet was a member of the Wells United Methodist Church where she belonged to the UMW, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and Bible school and helped on various committees.

Harriet is survived by a daughter, Marlene Culbertson of Wells; son, Randal (Deb) Swenson of Mendota Heights; three grandchildren, Joshua Swenson of Eagan, Bill (Megan) Swenson of Okinawa, Japan, and Holly Swenson of Chicago, Ill.; three great-granddaughters, Kaylee, Chloe and Samantha Swenson; sister, Dolores Dahnert of Waseca; brother, Darold (Linda) Miller of Wells; two sisters-in-law, Anne Swenson of Waseca and Lynne Swenson of New Richland; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister in infancy; brother, Maynard Miller; her husband, Vernon in 2011; son-in-law, Donald Culbertson; and grandchildren, Jason and Sarah Culbertson.