Swenson was born June 18, 1916, in Rockford, Illinois. She graduated North Park College in 1946.
Beginning that year, Swenson served 50 years in Jonesville, Virginia, with the Covenant Mountain Mission project, which ministered to the impoverished areas of Appalachia that suffered from isolation, lack of good education, and inadequate healthcare. The project was run by what was then called the Department of Home Mission, now the Department of Church Growth and Evangelism.
As part of her work, Swenson helped start Sunday Schools, Bible camps, and churches, including Wallens Creek Covenant Church, which began in 1952. Swenson and fellow missionary Naomi Sundberg, raised three sisters who were foster children.
Swenson retired to Covenant Village of Golden Valley in 1995.
Survivors include the three foster daughters, seven foster grandchildren and three foster grandchildren.
