Vicki Lynn Swanson, 64, of Norway, passed to her Heavenly home after a short illness, at Manor Care in Kingsford on March 9, 2019. Vicki is the daughter of Lowell and Dolores Swanson. From the start she was a sweet blonde haired wonder.
During her first two years of life, due to her extensive developmental disabilities, Vicki’s parents provided twenty four hour care for her. Her sister, Valri, helped mom with Vicki’s care, wearing a little nurses uniform. At age two it was necessary for Vicki to be admitted to Newberry State Hospital.
There, she continued to blossom into an enthusiastic, energetic girl, running around in her walker, making friends and going to camp in the summer. Her family visited her regularly, witnessing the fine care she was receiving and the happy life she was living there. After the closing of Newberry State Hospital, Vicki returned to the Iron Mountain/Kingsford area, then in Norway, where she resided in group homes until her passing.
In the group home setting she grew into a fine young woman, making new life time friends and being trained in daily living skills and enjoying an active social life. She helped with clean up after meals and took pride in keeping her room neat, organized and decorated with her favorite things. At one time she worked in an area thrift store, inspecting items for missing buttons, tears, holes, etc.
having a discerning eye for quality control. Vicki attended AWANA through Immanuel Baptist Church in Kingsford, making new friends, singing and learning about the love of Jesus and the Bible. Periodically throughout her life she attended church, where she listened attentively, sang and enjoyed watching the children.
Vicki possessed a consciousness of God and Heaven, as evidenced by pointing toward the sky and folding her hands in prayer. Vicki enjoyed her visits to her family’s home, looking at everything in the home and having parties and meals there. Her mom, dad and sister loved being with her as she brought great joy to them.
With her sister she enjoyed scenic rides, shopping, phone calls and visits. She helped to decorate her bulletin board in her room with her sister, enjoyed singing and dancing together, looking at family photos, having her picture taken and admiring herself in the mirror. While living in her group home Vicki maintained an active life with community outings and completing small chores.
She enjoyed listening to Elvis CDS, watching her favorite T.V. shows, including “Cops”, professional bowling, Westerns, and classic movies. She watched her collection of Elvis DVDS repeatedly, being his biggest fan. With assistance from volunteers and staff, Vicki rode horses, floated on inner tubes in lakes, water skied, and attended dances, parties and fairs.
She sang karaoke, went shopping and out to eat regularly and enjoyed day trips in her friend’s convertible. Vicki developed lasting friendships with other residents, staff and families. Vicki was so very loved and well-known by her relatives, group home family and staff and church community.
She never forgot a face. She loved meeting little children and animals. She brought great joy to all she encountered, especially to her family.
Vicki liked to choose her own wardrobe and hair dye. Most of all, she loved Elvis, having a vast collection of memorabilia from family, friends and staff. Although she loved any gifts, dollar bills, “Reeses” peanut butter cups and macaroni and cheese were her favorite.
As promised in the Bible by the Lord, Vicki is with her Savior and experiencing the wonders of Heaven as she is reunited with family and friends. She has a brand new body, freed from cerebral palsy, physical challenges, physical and emotional pain and developmental disabilities. She is running, jumping, dancing, singing and finally, talking in Heaven.
She is praising God, thanking Him for his care throughout her life. Vicki will be greatly missed by her sister, extended family, friends and her group home family and staff. Vicki and her family are eternally grateful for her group home staff who provided her with exceptional care and a fulfilling, wonderful life.
Vicki was preceded in death by her Dad, Lowell Swanson in 2012 and her Mom, Dolores Swanson in 2013; grand parents, Axel and Elsa Swanson and Lester and Sadie Combs; cousin, Sandy Tarsi, many great aunts and uncles. She is survived by her sister, Valri Swanson of Florence, WI. , cousins, Allen Roach of Penscola FL.
and Kathy Varda of Vulcan, MI. ; her step-uncle, Don Johnson of Channing, MI. ; extended family, Kristen (Swanson) Kleiman, of Iron Mountain, MI.
, Doris (Swanson) Thomas of Norway, MI. and Marge (Gustafson) Churchill of Lake Placid, FL. Vicki’s family and friends request the honor of your presence at her Celebration of Life on Saturday, April 27th at the Evangelical Covenant Church of Norway, Mi.
for visitation from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.and services at 3 p.m. Family and friends wish to thank Dickinson County Hospital Nurses, Doctors and Manor Care for their compassionate and excellent care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Vicki’s memory, to the Evangelical Covenant Church of Norway, MI. Condolences to the family of Vicki Swanson may be expressed online at www.
ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Homes, Inc. with arrangements. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Vicki Lynn Swanson please visit our Sympathy Store.
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