Caroline Marion (Aagenes) Swenby Erickson, 94, a lifelong area resident of Fertile, MN, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 1, 2023. She was surrounded by her loved ones after living a full and dedicated life.
She was born on October 14, 1928, in Garfield Township to Alfred and Hannah (Larson) Aagenes. Her parents raised a tight-knit, resourceful Norwegian family. Caroline was baptized and confirmed at Concordia Lutheran Church in Fertile. She attended Country School District 27 West, and graduated from Gary, MN high school in 1946. She then joined the workforce by working in the office of Powers Brothers in Fargo, ND, who owned the Powers, Fargoan and Gardener Hotels.
On September 26, 1947, she married Warren Swenby. Since he was an over-the-road trucker, she often traveled with him in his semi to destinations in the Midwest and West Coast. They were blessed with four children, many adventures and loving moments to remember. The family tragically lost Warren in a truck/train accident in 1957. Caroline became the steady anchor for her four young children: Curtis (8), Willard (6), Dennis (4), and Barbara (2 months), as their lives were impacted by this devastating loss. The love of extended family and friends provided comfort and support during that very difficult time. Throughout her lifetime, Caroline continued to model determination, inner strength, and a “can-do” spirit to the next generations of her family.
On July 21, 1961, Caroline married Gilman Erickson, a farmer from the Fertile area. Caroline offered her help and resourcefulness to many aspects of the farm as she and Gilman worked together. They welcomed their daughter Gail into the family and involved themselves in many opportunities of leadership and advisership at church and service groups in which the children were involved. Gilman passed away in 1991, after sharing his love with Caroline, Gail and his “bonus family.”
Caroline believed that laughter is good for the soul. Her “dry sense of humor,” mixed with uncanny sarcasm, served her well. She enjoyed card and board games and was a faithful follower of vintage “COWBOY” T.V. shows. She never tired of the reruns!
Caroline loved her flower and vegetable gardens, and grape vines springing forth on her clothesline. She so enjoyed the decades-long friendships she made as a member of the Fertile Garden Club, Homemakers, Church Circles and WELCA. She was a joyful volunteer at church.
She loved to dance to her favorite two-steps, waltzes, and polkas. Even as her aged legs defied her the opportunity to get out on the dance floor, she listened and smiled as her hands and feet kept steady rhythm, all from the comfort of her chair.
She was a truly knowledgeable bird watcher! She studied and appreciated the characteristics of the many birds which daily visited her bird feeders. Even the clock on her kitchen wall was a tribute to her bird-watching interest, as it warbled, chirped, hooted and tweeted each hour, on the hour, much to her delight, and to the surprise of her kitchen guests.
“Grandma Caroline,” as we all called her, was a spunky, Norwegian lady who will be remembered for her storytelling about “days of old.” She carried forward family traditions of quilting, sewing, fancy stitchery, and often shared her fine work as gifts to her family members. She sewed and tailored wedding dresses, bridesmaids and prom dresses, altered pants and jackets, and could make torn or tattered play clothes look new again. She was a self-taught perfectionist! Her interest in quilting at the Concordia Church has inspired many family members to do the same.
Caroline generously shared her tips for cooking and baking, especially for creating Norwegian delicacies. Her legendary watermelon and beet pickles, as well as a wide variety of home-canned vegetables, always provided winter enjoyment. Her coffee pot was always on, and a hot cup was ready to be shared and enjoyed. Her signature lemon bars were sure to sweeten us up!
Caroline’s large, extended family has received her gifts of tradition, laughter, words of wisdom, recipes, her handcrafted sewing, jewelry art, memories and adventures, and her endearing love. She was quick to offer reliable advice, nurturing care and support, and heartfelt hugs.
Carrying on her legacy are her children, Willard (Darlene), Dennis (Jane), Barbara (Myles), and Gail (Darryl); 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Lavonne; sister-in-law, Anne; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Warren Swenby and Gilman Erickson; beloved son, Curtis; two great grandsons, Austin and Jude; three brothers, Orvis, Millard, and Donald; two sisters, Helen and Anna; and infant sister, Arline.
Blessed be Caroline’s Memory!
Funeral: 11:00 AM, Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.
Visitation: One hour before the funeral at the church.
Interment: Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.
Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.eriksonvikfh.com
Arrangements with Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home
Fertile, Minnesota
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