Birdseye - St. George, Utah - Our mom was born October 3, 1935 in Pleasant Grove, UT to Eva Howard and Reed Orton. She died on February 26, 2012 surrounded by family after a courageous two year battle with ovarian cancer. The cancer was a blessing in disguise in that it made us treasure every moment with mom during these last two years.

Mom married her high school sweetheart Merlyn J. Swenson who died in an accident in 1983. They are the parents of Randy (Jodie) Swenson, Birdseye, UT; Janet (Korey) Carter, St. George, UT; Scott Swenson, Birdseye, UT; and Amy (Sunil) Rayan, Encinitas, CA. She has 5 delightful grandchildren: Tyler, Kacey, Kade, Bridger, and Aanan.

She was the oldest of 8 siblings who have all preceded her in death.

Mom graduated from Pleasant Grove High School and majored in business education at BYU. She taught at South Rich High School in Randolph, UT. During her four years there, one of the highlights was her special bond with the graduating class of 1961.

Mom was employed by US Steel Corporation at Geneva Works for 22 years in both secretarial and industrial engineering analyst positions and was involved with the Iron & Steel Engineering and National Secretary Associations. She served as a member of the Board of Directors Association for the Geneva Federal Credit Union, Geneva Recreation Association Credit Committee and was a graduate of Dale Carnegie classes. She was also on committees for Utah County Fair Board, Utah State Fair Livestock and Spanish Fork Fiesta Days. The Livestock Market Digest of Albuquerque, NM featured her as one of the five outstanding American Women of the West in Agriculture.

A highlight was serving as President of the Utah Cattlewomen's Association and working closely with the Utah Beef Council. She was honored to receive the "Spirit of Utah Cattlewomen" award. She was able to travel with her family to many events across the nation while completing committee assignments.

She worked in a management position as promotional representative with E.A. Miller Beef Packing Company in Hyrum, UT for over 26 years. She retired from JBS Swift Company in 2007. Mom and Dad also continued to own and operate Swenson Rentals throughout Utah County.

Mom and Dad purchased the Pines Ranch in Birdseye, UT in 1977 after selling the family farm and Grade A dairy in Orem, UT. After the Thistle Flood of 1983 and Dad's untimely death, Mom opened the doors of the Pines Ranch for over 22 years to earn extra income. She had wonderful memories of sharing her home with guests for business retreats, family reunions and church gatherings.

As a member of the LDS Church, she served in primary and relief society presidencies. She had a deep love for music and always enjoyed the opportunity to play music in the small Birdseye Branch.

As a family, we loved traveling together to sporting events, golf courses around the nation and to our favorite destination - the Hawaiian Islands.

She loved being a granny to everyone and found happiness every single day. She always said it was okay to "Eat dessert first!" and to never regret growing older because it is a privilege denied to many.

In honoring Mom's wishes a funeral/celebration of life will not be held. Our family expresses thanks for your heartfelt expressions, kind words and outpouring of love. We want to thank Dr. Bridgette Duggan and everyone at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, CA for their outstanding care for mom for the past two years. We also want to thank Dr. Joseph Woolley and his hospice team in St. George, UT for making it possible for mom to return to Utah so she could be in her home during her final days. We are forever grateful.

Burial was held at the Tonaquint Cemetery in St. George, UT. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary. A website has been created in memory of Mom. Please feel free to visit it to share any memories at http://renaeswenson.com.