Saundra (Soni) Lynne Swearingen

Saundra (“Soni”) Lynne (Aykens) Swearingen

Passed away at home surrounded by family on Dec 1, after a long battle with cancer.

Born Feb 3,1947 to Elizabeth Hall and adopted by Dale Aykens, Soni grew up in rural Brainerd as part of the Daggett Brook crowd and enjoyed attending dances and roller-skating at Bull Dog Lake. She was married to Richard Magnan and later to Gilbert Swearingen until his death in 2009.

Soni achieved her LPN degree in 1974 and later her RN degree and finished her 30-year career in Wound Care. Even during her cancer journey, she would share her knowledge with hospital staff. She faced her medical challenges with grit and tenacity and was a warrior until the end.

Soni was an active member of VFW Auxiliary, the Eagles Club and was a member/volunteer for the Brainerd Senior Center. She loved dancing and listening to music, crafting, playing bingo, watching murder mysteries and British BBC shows; playing games with family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth (Betty) Aykens; her father, Dale Aykens; step-brother, Dale Holmes; and second husband, Gilbert.

She is survived by sister, Denise (Wendell) Anderson; step-sister, Wendy (Tom) Brown; step-sister in law, Anita Holmes; step-brother, Mike Holmes; son Chris (Darcy) Magnan; daughter Heidi (Jim) Kraemer; step-sons Alan and David (Noell) Swearingen; grandchildren Blake Kraemer, Chelsea Kraemer, Kayla (Taylor) Amiot, Ben Magnan, Daniel Magnan, Destiny (Donald) Hays; Raymond Swearingen; great-grandchildren Everleigh Masters and Oliver Amiot; and her beloved feline, Patches.

Memorial services for Soni will be held at 2:00PM on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the Halvorson Taylor Life Events Center in Brainerd. A gathering time will take place from 12:30-2:00PM prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary, The Outreach Program of BLA, or The Senior Center.

Caring for Soni and her family

Halvorson Taylor Funeral Home

Brainerd