Marion (Mary) Jean Swenson

Marion (Mary) Jean Swenson, 85, of Fargo, ND, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2019 at Rosewood on Broadway with family by her side.

Mary was the third child born to Hjalmer and Evelyn Nelson on August 4, 1933 on the family farm near Oslo, MN. Mary attended country school and graduated from Oslo High school in 1951. She loved growing up on a farm and was a bit of a tomboy, preferring to work outside with her Dad and brother to doing housework. On June 17, 1951, Mary was united in marriage to H. Paul Swenson. They made their home in Drayton, ND until 1973 when they moved to Fargo, ND. Mary and Paul lived in North Fargo until 2002 when they moved to Moorhead, MN. In 2010, Mary moved into Touchmark at Harwood Grove and resided there until shortly before her death.

Over her lifetime, Mary held several different jobs including working in the lab at American Crystal Sugar in Drayton, Agsco in Moorhead, and Meritcare in Fargo as a medical secretary in the pediatric cardiology department. Mary enjoyed volunteering and after retiring volunteered at the Meritcare Foundation fulltime. She also volunteered at her church, Messiah Lutheran, that she has been a member of since 1973.

Mary had many hobbies and interests. She was an avid golfer, traveler, shopper, gardener, card player and enjoyed puzzles of any kind. But the thing Mary was most passionate about was being a mother and grandmother. She enjoyed attending every game, concert, birthday party and activity that her boys and grandkids had. She just loved being with them.

Mary is survived by her sons, Ralf (Chris), La Jolla, CA and Rod (Janel), Fargo, ND; sister, Ina Mae Johnson, Detroit Lakes, MN; sister-in-law, Rae Ann Nelson, Oslo, MN; grandchildren, Dan (Emily), Venice, CA, Michael (Cindy), Merced, CA, Andrew(Becky) Bismarck, ND, Amy Burdick (Mitch) Fargo, ND, Brian, San Francisco, CA and Emily, Fargo, ND; great-grandchildren, James Willard Burdick, Fargo, ND, Camilla Marion Swenson, Merced, CA, and Elsie Mae Swenson, Bismarck, ND, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Paul, brothers, Norman and Donald, and brother-in- law, Russ Johnson.

Mary lived with dementia for ten years and was lovingly cared for by the staff at Touchmark and caregivers from Griswold Home Care, and at the end of her life was compassionately cared for by the staff at Rosewood on Broadway and Hospice. Family is so very thankful for all your help.