Bertha "Birdie" Elizabeth Swensen

Bertha “Birdie” Elizabeth Swensen of Providence, Utah passed away Sunday, May 14th, 2023. She was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, and was the second child of Mearl and Savilla “Della” Embly. She is preceded in death by her brother Mearl “Buck” Embly, Jr., and survived by her sister Mary Embly. She married Ron Swensen in 1991 and was sealed in the Seattle Washington Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ron was faithfully by her side at her passing.

Named after her mother’s closest sister, Bertha E. Truett, Birdie shared the same nickname. During her childhood, her family explored the beaches and boardwalks of the nation’s east coast. These adventures provided memories that she cherished and shared with those she loved as she reflected on her childhood.

Birdie demonstrated her great love for the Savior and His gospel throughout her life. She joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1977. As a member of the church, she served in several callings and roles. She especially found her roles as Primary Teacher and as a member of the Young Women’s Presidency of her ward to be especially memorable and rewarding.

Birdie loved to decorate cakes, create artistic confections, and was known to let her fun streak shine through with a family lip-synch to songs from her youth and the occasional dessert which preceded dinner. She was an authority on canning and food storage and represented the Washington State University Extension Office when she resided in the state. She learned how to play her baby grand piano - and especially enjoyed Beethoven’s Für Elise - then later took up the electric guitar. Birdie found her most joy in spending time with and supporting those she loved while they were enjoying their hobbies or pursuing their goals. Her greatest lifetime desire was to be a mother, and she loved to spend time with her family. Indeed, a visit from one of her grandchildren never failed to produce a big bright smile on Birdie’s face.

Birdie is survived by her husband Ronald L. Swensen; her children Michelle Burkholder, Kelley Harvey, Mark Harvey (Lara), Alecia Farley (Sean), Aaron Swensen (Jill), Sarah Swensen (Tony), and Melanie Finley (Jordan); her 26 grandchildren Gabriel, Devin, Steve, Cory, Morgan, Tristan, Jamie, Mychala, Mykel, Marielle, Jay, Scott, Angie, Emma, Aidan, Sarah, Ollie, Noah, Liam, Claire, Xander, Isaac, Dallin, Elijah, Luke, and Charlotte; and her nine great-grandchildren Xavier, Benjamin, Michael, Zackary, Damien, Melani, Malayni, Gabriel, and Theodore.

A graveside funeral service will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at the Hyde Park City Cemetery.  A public viewing will be held prior to the service from 10:00 to 10:55 AM at White Pine Funeral Services, 753 S 100 E, Logan, UT.  

The graveside service may be viewed via Zoom at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81416472218