Elizabeth “Bette” Ann (Priley) Swanson

Elizabeth “Bette” Ann (Priley) Swanson, 89 formerly of Park Point, died Monday, Aug. 16th at Essentia Miller Dwan with her family by her side.  Bette was born Feb. 29, 1932, in Duluth to John and Ida Priley.  Bette always enjoyed the fact that she was a leap year baby and having a large celebration every four years.  She was a graduate of Duluth Central High School.  She met the love of her life Herb at the Duluth Curling Club Rolling Skating Rink in 1950 and they were married on March 24, 1951 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.  After 65 years of marriage, she still truly felt she had the best husband in the world.  Bette worked in food service for ISD 709 and was the vegetable gardener at Cummings Greenhouse.  She was an active member of St. Andrews By-The-Lake Episcopal Church, being a member of the Altar Guild and Women’s Guild.  Bette loved being a Park Pointer and enjoyed raising her children there.  Bette was also an active member of the Park Point Garden Club.  Gardening was a passion of hers and was very proud of her cherished grape vines which were brought over to America from Italy by her father.  Bette was very generous and accommodating to anyone who wanted to plant her vines which now adorn numerous properties around the Duluth area and Boise, Idaho.  Bette loved the simple things in life.  She was very proud of her Italian heritage and being a member of the Italian American Club of Duluth, which influenced her love for cooking and large family gatherings.  Bette treasured and deeply loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She embraced every moment she spent with them.  She had a vivacious personality, quick wit and a knack for making people laugh.

Bette was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ida.  Her siblings, Bill, Verna, Roland, Jack and George.  Her great-granddaughter, Harlow and her husband, Herb.

Bette is survived by her children, Jeffery (Janet), Robert (Jennifer), Timothy, Thomas (Sheila Fryberger) and daughter Lizabeth (Ross) Autio.  Her grandchildren, Andrew, Shelby and Brady Swanson, Brad (Kelly) and Amy (Jason Nino) Swanson, Matt Oullis and Lyndsay (Kent) Anderson, Savannah Swanson and Danielle (Randy) Lieser, Patrick (Wu Jing) Fryberger and Caitlin (Jordan) Berg, Mitchell (Tanna Korkalo), Emily and Jared Autio; great-grandchildren, Ryley, Fynn, Vincent, Cecilia, Ridley, Mila Bobbi, Devin and Jackson; her very special sister-in-law, Lucille Priley, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  She will be sadly missed.  We feel very blessed to have had her as our mom.  We would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff of Essentia ICU and Essentia Palliative Care for their loving care of our mother, Bette.

Visitation will be Thursday, Aug. 26th from 5-7 pm in the Dougherty Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue Friday from 11 am until the noon service at St. Andrews By-The-Lake Episcopal Church, 2802 Minnesota Ave., Duluth, MN. Masks are required at the Church.  Memorials to St Andrews By-The-Lake Church.  Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2nd St. Duluth, MN, (218) 727-3555.