Solveig Swanson

Solveig Odland Swanson, of Poulsbo died March 28. She was 63. She came from a humble, God-loving family in the small fjord town of Sauda, Norway. Growing up, she enjoyed spending time at her grandparents’ farm by the lake in Røldal, and skiing in the mountains around Sauda.

Born Oct. 29, 1945, Swanson came to Poulsbo in 1966, originally to work and experience American culture. She met and fell in love with Larry Swanson and they married in December 1966.

Swanson loved spending time with her family, and graced the lives of her four children with good humor, faith and love.

Swanson was well-known for her beautiful Hardanger embroidery; she taught that craft in Poulsbo and Bremerton for over 15 years. She also spent many hours in her garden, nurturing the flowers that surrounded her home with decorative colors.

Solveig and Larry enjoyed many trips together, both in Europe and the United States. Her favorite local vacations were to Seaside, Ore., and Leavenworth, where she would spend hours cross-country skiing with her children. She made many trips back to Norway to visit her family.

As a member of First Lutheran Church of Poulsbo, Solveig was active in Sarah Circle. For the past several years, she was also a member of Poulsbo’s Nina Grieg Daughters of Norway lodge.

Swanson’s enduring faith and her joy in spending time with her two granddaughters gave her strength as she spent the past four years living with breast cancer. She lived each day to the fullest, and when the time came to move on to the next stage in her journey, she did so with grace.

Swanson was preceded in death by her parents and her sister-in-law Merrilee Striker. She is survived by her husband Larry, son Erik and his wife Meredith, daughter Tasha and her husband Greg, son Talon and his life partner Carol, son Trevin and his fiancée Cindy, and granddaughters Anna and Hailey.

A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. April 13 at Poulsbo’s First Lutheran Church.

The family requests that donations be made in Solveig’s name to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (www.jdrf.org), Susan G. Komen for the Cure (ww5.komen.org), American Parkinson Disease Association (www.apdaparkinson.org)or World Concern (www.worldconcern.org).

Gronnvoll promoted senior airman

Kevin Gronnvoll, son of Sverre and Laura Gronnvoll of Kingston, is in the U.S. Air Force stationed in Lakenheath England. In January he received His Air Traffic Control Badge, his Radar Approach 5-level rating and was promoted to senior airmen. He was also Nominated by his chain of command for the “Liberty Spotlight.”