Lillian Ruth (Keesen) Swierenga

Lillian Ruth Keesen Swierenga

Lillian Ruth Keesen Swierenga was born on a farm in Corsica, South Dakota on December 16, 1924 to Teunis (Tony) and Petronella Eenigenburg Keesen. She joined her siblings Theresa, Nell, Phyllis, George, Ray and Lawrence. Oldest sister Theresa died of a heart defect at the age of seven. In 1927, because her dad had problems with asthma, the farm was sold and the family moved to Denver. All eight of them packed into a new Dodge sedan, pulling a trailer packed with all of their belongings, sleeping in a tent at night. Her first home in Denver was on a farm near what are now Broadway and Belleview. Mom lived all her life in the South Denver area and always considered herself a Colorado native. She went to school at Denver Christian at Florida & Clarkson until 8th grade, and then went to South High School, where she graduated in 1942. One day, while she and a friend were walking home from church, a handsome young man named Henry Swierenga was driving by. He stopped and asked her for a glass of lemonade and the rest is history. They were married March 9, 1944 and soon started a family. They had 5 children: Georgia (Ern), Ken (JoAnn), Terry (Carolyn), Pat and Mary (Terry). Hank and Lil were also blessed with 9 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, with 1 on the way. Hank preceded her in death in 1988. Lil was a charter member of 2nd Christian Reformed Church (now Jewel CRC), and attended there faithfully. She was very much involved in church life by playing the piano, singing in the choir, serving on various committees and as youth group leader. She and her dear friend Marion played many organ-piano duets together. In addition to her love of music, she took a lot of pleasure in sewing, knitting, crocheting, and many other craft activities. She enjoyed being with family and friends, going up to the mountains and traveling in the US and abroad with Hank. We as her children have been so blessed to have Christian parents who passed on their love of God and their faith to us. We rejoice that she is with the Lord in her heavenly home. We will meet her again in glory!

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