Illa Harriett Aaseng

Illa Harriett Aaseng, 59, of Tower, died in her home on Sept. 18, 2005. She was born Nov. 7, 1945 in Brainerd, Minn., the daughter of John and Harriett (Anthony) Swartout. She was a 1963 graduate of Coleraine High School and then attended the Itasca Junior College. She lived in Brainerd, Bovey, Minneapolis, LaCrosse, Rogers City, Mich., prior to moving to Virginia, where she was a longtime area resident. Illa married Richard Earl Aaseng on Oct. 20, 2001 in the Gethsemane Evangelical Church, Virginia. Illa owned the Virginia Vision Center in Virginia since 1998. She was a member of the Gethsemane Evangelical Church in Virginia and its church circles, and liked to sew, cook, and really enjoyed being with family and friends, especially during the holidays. Her family meant the world to her. She is preceded in death by her father, John Swartout. She is survived by her husband, Richard; children, Kelly (Mike) VanHee of McAllen, Texas, Nancy (LeRoy) Lustila, Jr. of Tower, John (Tammy) Kingston of Mt. Iron, and Roger (Stephanie) Aaseng of International Falls; mother, Harriett Swartout of Brainerd; siblings, Joyce (Clarence) Wold of Brainerd, Wesley (Mary) Swartout of Columbus, Ga., Nancy (Rod) Ruhoff or Eugene, Ore., Diane (John) Wilson of Le Seur, Minn., John (Jeannie) Swartout, Jr. of Minnetonka, Minn., and David (Maureen) Swartout of Eden Prairie, Minn.; 13 grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles; and a host of friends. VISITATION:6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel, Virginia. Visitation will continue Friday from 10 a.m. unitl the 11 a.m. funeral service in Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church, Virginia. Pastor Nathan Sager will officiate. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the Minnesota Chapter of ALS. To share a personal remembrance of Illa online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.