Duane Swenson

February 25, 1930 — November 16, 2019

Duane Swenson, 89, died at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, Saturday, November 16, 2019 following an ATV accident on his farm.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Friday, November 22, 2019 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Barnesville, MN with Rev. Thomas Eaves officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Barnesville, MN.

Visitation will be from 5-8, Thursday, November 21, 2019 at St. John’s Lutheran Church with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.

Duane Donald Swenson Sr. was born on February 25, 1930 to Eddie Sylvester and Lillian Wilhelmina (Hahn) Swenson in Deerhorn Township, Wilkin County, MN. He attended country school near Kent, MN and graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1948. Duane served his country in the US Air Force during the Korean War from 1951 to 1955. He then started a farm in Deerhorn Township where he remained until his death.

He was united in marriage to Patricia Colleen Thomas on June 4, 1955 at Assumption Catholic Church. They made their home and raised their family on a farm in rural Wolverton.

He served on the Barnesville School Board for 27 years and was a founding representative at the Lakes Country Service Cooperative. He also served his church as a board of lay member and an elder. During his life he was also active in the Wilkin County DFL, served as a Wilkin County Township Assessor, National Farmers Organization, Farmers Union, Watershed Board and election judge for Deerhorn Township. He enjoyed watersports, snowmobiling, hunting, and bowling.

Duane is survived by four children: Candace (Steve) Callicutt, Springfield, NE, Cary (Tim) Zepper, Hawley, MN, Ed (Yolanda) Swenson, Fargo, ND, and Wade (Jill) Swenson, West Fargo, ND; 13 grandchildren: Kenny (Shayla) Callicutt, Brianna (Steve) Mercer, Rhett Zepper, Logan Swenson, Alicia Swenson, Samantha Swenson, Lucy Crace, Amber (Josh) Hanson, Ashley Swart, Maggie Swenson, Grace Swenson, Ben Swenson and Danielle Swart; two great grandchildren: Nathan and Daphne Mercer; one brother, Arnie Swenson, Barnesville; special friend, Kay Lane and numerous nieces and nephews.

Duane was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia in 2014; son, Duane Jr.; daughter-in-law, Pamela Swenson; his parents, Eddie and Lillian Swenson; and his siblings, Wallace (Jean) Swenson, and Marvin Swenson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church Air Conditioner Fund.