Aliska Swenson

Aliska "Dutch" Maria Kopplin Swenson, 94, passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2013. Aliska "Dutch" Maria Kopplin Swenson was born August 21, 1918 in Schertz, Texas to Hugo Wilhelm Kopplin and Anna Katherine Weiding Kopplin. She was baptized November 10, 1918 in Christ the Redeemer Evangelical Church in Zuehls, Texas. She confirmed her faith on April 17, 1933 in St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Ray Point, Texas. Aliska married Evar Carl Swenson on August 20, 1944 at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Ray Point, Texas. They traveled and lived in many different places throughout Texas and Louisiana with Shorty's job in drilling production. Upon Shorty's retirement as Assistant Drilling Superintendent they moved to Three Rivers in 1972. Aliska had enjoyed being a waitress as a young woman at Ray's Cafe, in Oakville, Texas, where she served many meals to bus loads of enlisted men on their way to serve our country in WWII and at Ray's Cafe in Three Rivers. After retirement, Aliska continued to waitress, working for Live Oak Livestock Auction, McNeill's BBQ, and the Staghorn Restaurant where she met and made a host of friends, including local lawmen and the Wal-Mart truck drivers whom she dearly loved. She continued to attend church at Our Savior Lutheran Church and enjoyed being among people. She was a proud member of the Oakville Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She had been a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for 69 years and was a past Matron. Aliska was preceded in death by her husband, Evar Carl Swenson on August 26, 1984, by her father Hugo Kopplin on August 3, 1975, and by her mother Anna Weiding Koppin on June 8, 1989. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Alfred Hugo Kopplin in August 1998 and brother, Hilbert Henry Kopplin in April 2002. She was also preceded in death by her niece Brenda Nesloney Moczygemba and her nephews Bruce Nesloney and Rocky Kopplin. Aliska is survived by her sister Anna Mae Kopplin of Pawnee, her sister in law Barbara Wolff Kopplin of Ray Point, and her nieces and nephews, Lou (Frank) Schulenburg, Dora (David) Wolfe, Donna (Glen) Mills, Butch (Patricia) Kopplin, Cheryl (Albert) Liska, Bert (Gaye) Nesloney, Dellene (Craig) Blackmore, Audrey Kopplin, Nancy (Richard) Lee, Buddy Kopplin, Beverly (Fred III) Schauer, Bunky (Kathy) Kopplin, Randy (Tammy) Kopplin, Warren (Haley) Kopplin, Crystal (Jason) Desselle, and Tracy (Dustin) Favor. She is also survived by 30 grand nieces and nephews and 24 great grand nieces and nephews. Also surviving "Dutch" are many close friends including her faithful friend, Dick Poore. The family would like to express their most sincere thanks to the Three Rivers Nursing Home for their love and care for Aliska, and also especially her personal sitter Lillie Aldaba. Visitation was held on Monday, March 11, 2013 at Galloway and Sons Funeral Home in Three Rivers, Texas beginning at 6PM-8PM. A prayer service for Aliska was held the same evening at 7PM. Funeral service was held at Our Savior Lutheran Church, in Three Rivers, on Tuesday March 12, 2013 at 2PM with her interment following at the Three Rivers Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Scott Trlica, Brandon Mills, Trey Nesloney, James Liska, Clint Wolfe, and Brady Lee. Honorary pall bearers were Dick Poore, Rod Oliver, Jarod Oliver, Butch Kopplin, Bert Nesloney, Buddy Kopplin, Randy Kopplin, Bunky Kopplin, Warren Kopplin, Brandon Nesloney, Micah Wilbur, Chase Kopplin, Jordan Liska, Billy Bob Moczygemba, Hayden Kopplin, Cody Moczygemba, Quarto Schauer, Reagan Kopplin, Bryce Favor and Taten Kopplin.