Patricia Swenson

Patty Swenson, 81, died at Essentia Health in Fargo, on Monday, November 10, 2014 with her family by her side. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM, Friday, November 14, 2014 at Assumption Catholic Church in Barnesville, MN with Father Gary LaMoine officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Barnesville, MN. Visitation will be held from 5-8 PM, Thursday, November 13, 2014 at Dobmeier Funeral Home with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service. Patricia Colleen Thomas was born on August 14, 1933 to Patrick Jacob and MaryBelle (Cullen) Thomas in Lawndale, MN. She grew up in Lawndale, before moving to Barnesville at the age of 11. She attended the Assumption Catholic School through 8th grade and graduated from Barnesville High School in 1951. She was homecoming queen and Miss Barnesville. She attended Moorhead Teachers College and began her teaching career in Wadena, MN for two years. She taught in Glyndon for five years, she then taught as a title one teacher in Wolverton, Kent, Brushville, Foxhome, head start in Barnesville, and retiring from Breckenridge after 27 years. She taught a total of 38 ½ years. She received the teacher of excellence award. She was united in marriage to Duane Donald Swenson on June 4, 1955 at Assumption Catholic Church. They made their home and raised their family on a farm in rural Wolverton. Patty enjoyed reading and gardening. She loved swimming and waterskiing until she was in her late 60's. She liked to collect rocks and watch birds. Her biggest passion was spending time with her grandchildren and teaching them values and the love of family. She was a member of Assumption Catholic Church, active in the DFL party in Wilkin County, Wilkin County Historical Society, Farmers Union, Literary League, Garden Club, St. Ann's Guild, the Red Hat Society, VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary. Patty is survived by her husband Duane, Barnesville, MN; four children: Candace (Steve) Callicutt, Papillion, NE, Cary (Tim) Zepper, Hawley, MN, Ed (Yolanda) Swenson, Fargo, ND, and Wade (Jill) Swenson, West Fargo, ND; 13 grandchildren: Kenny (Shayla McConnell) Callicutt, Brianna (Steve) Mercer, Rhett Zepper, Logan Swenson, Alicia Swenson, Samantha Swenson, Lucy Crace, Amber Swart, Ashley Swart, Maggie Swenson, Grace Swenson, Ben Swenson,and Danielle Swart; one great grandchild Nathan Mercer; three brothers: Eugene (Janice) Thomas, Kalispell, MT, Earl (Janice Anderson) Thomas, Barnesville, MN, and Darrel (Ruth) Thomas, Barnesville, MN; four sisters: Frances Thomas, Cincinnati, OH, Flavia (Kell Lovell) Sagedahl, Bemidji, MN, Cathy Crichton, Portland, OR, and Judy (Carcel)Balzer, Edmonds, WA;two brothers-in-law Bob Wenzel, Valier, MT and Gary (Reggie) Ott, Cincinnati, OH; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son Duane Swenson Jr.; daughter-in-law Pamela Swenson; her parents; one brother George (Mary) Thomas; two sisters Donna Wenzel and Laurie Ott, and a niece Deidre Wenzel. Memorials are preferred to: Assumption Catholic Church Programs and Youth Group Scholarships PO Box 339 Barnesville, MN 56514 Patricia Swenson bulletin