Swanhild "Swannie" Morrison

Swanhild “Swannie” Morrison, 85, Fargo, North Dakota, died September 29, 2011, at Essential Health, Fosston, Minnesota. Swanhild Marie Thompson, oldest daughter of Sofus and Selma (Feland) Thompson, was born October 4, 1925, near Antler, ND. She was raised on the family farm near Antler. She graduated high school and attended business college in Minot, ND. In the mid 1940’s, she moved to New York to work, where she contracted polio and spent a year in recovery. She learned to walk with crutches and adapted her lifestyle to accommodate her situation. She returned home and met her future husband, Harold Morrison. Harold and Swannie were married October 4, 1950, and lived in various communities in North Dakota. Together, they owned their own business, Morrison Appliance Store, in downtown Fargo. Swannie and Harold enjoyed Arizona winters in Mesa; Minnesota summers at Strawberry Lake; and all their family and friends in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Swannie was an advocate for the physically challenged, in particular, children. She was a strong supporter of the Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals and the Anne Carlsen School in Jamestown. Swannie was extremely proud of her Norwegian heritage and enjoyed traveling to Norway in 2000. She could fluently speak the Norwegian language and enjoyed spending time with her “Tante” (Aunt) Minnie. Swannie is survived by her son, Pat (Karen) Morrison, Fargo; her foster daughter, Rita (Harvey) Larson, Beulah, ND; grandchildren, Rachel (Art) Ivashchuk, Hunter, ND; Sara (Alec) Henry, Naomi Morrison, Matthew Morrison, Shawn Morrison, all of Fargo, Rita’s daughter, Jamie and her family; two great-grandchildren, Emily Jo Alderson and Samuel Henry; her brothers, Justin (Phyllis) Thompson, Gabriel (Donna) Thompson, both of Antler; her sisters, Verdine (Ernie) Jelleberg, Bottineau, ND, Sylvia (Virgil) Christenson, Carson City, NV, Marlene (Richard) Pederson, Minot, ND, Arlys (Gary) Mathis, Gonvick, MN, Twylah Larson, Fargo; many nieces and nephews; and her 101 year old “Tante” Minnie, Mohall, ND. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold; her sister, Inez; Rita’s son, Rick; and Swannie’s son, Mike. In lieu of flowers, please give to the Anne Carlsen School or your favorite charitable organization. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, October 1, 2011, at 2:00 p.m., at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home Chapel, Fargo. Visitation: One hour prior to the service. Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, ND.