James Hiram Swensen

Beloved husband, father and grandfather, James Hirum Swensen, passed away Dec. 1, 2011, at the age of 74, after a short, courageous battle with cancer. He has passed through the veil into the loving arms of family who passed before him.
Jim was born in Soda Springs, Idaho, to Raymond and June Letham Swensen, Nov. 9, 1937. He was raised in Lago, ID, alongside three brothers and three sisters.
“I graduated from Grace high school and then joined the U.S. Navy on January 5, 1956. I went aboard the Destroyer U.S.S Herbert J Thomas. My tour of duty carried me to places such as Japan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Hawaii and across the equator to Australia. I was released from active duty on December 4, 1959.”
Jim married Bonnie Kay Ashbaker in 1960 and they had two sons, James Scott Swensen and Kip Raymond Swensen.
“We lived in Grace, Idaho for 3 years where I worked for the Forbush Irrigation Company. We moved to Kaysville, Utah in 1963 where I started working for Clover Club Foods Co. as a supervisor and retired after 37 years.”
Jim and Bonnie divorced in 1979. In 1980, Jim married Arla Mary Higley and they lived in Mantua, Utah for 21 years. He accepted three daughters into his family; Denise Abbott Crosby, Tami Kaye and Christine Sutherland. After his retirement they moved to Cache Valley, Utah.
Jim loved his family and often called his sisters daily. We chuckle at his favorite hobbies of doing the daily crossword puzzles and watching sports of every kind on TV. He loved to fish with his sons, grandsons, brothers, and his brother-in-law Bill.
Jim is survived by his wife, Arla Swensen of Providence, Utah: sons, Scott Swensen of Syracuse, Utah and Kip (Sherry) Swensen of Kaysville, Utah: daughters, Denise Abbott Crosby (Steve) of Nibley, Utah, Tami Kaye of Providence, Utah, and Christine Sutherland of Scottsdale, Arizona: 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren: siblings, Ronald (Vivian) Swensen of Blue Ash, Ohio, Steven Swensen of Clearfield, Utah, Shirley Rose of Grace, Idaho, and Nolene McFarland of St. Anthony, Idaho: and numerous nieces and nephews who love him dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert Swensen, sister Barbara Christensen, and great-granddaughter, Madyson Faith Boehme.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm, Monday, December 5th at the Providence Stake Center, located at 200 South 458 West in Providence, with a family viewing one hour prior to service. Interment will be at the Mantua Cemetery.
Pops, our hearts are full of love for you, and we miss you so much already. Thank you for your love and for all of the memories that will hold us over until we wrap our arms around you once again.
Condolences may be extended to the family on line by visiting www.allenmortuaries.net .