She was born to Lloyd and Evelyn (Breckey) Swenson on August 26, 1953 in Stanley, ND. The majority of her growing up years were spent in Williston, ND, then Grand Forks, ND and finally in Ellensburg, WA, where she graduated from High School in 1971. She attended one year at Western WA University and transferred to Central WA University where she graduated with a BA in Physical Education.
