Bessie Swendsrud

Bessie Swendsrud, 95, of Fergus Falls, died Tuesday, October 1, 2013, at her Mill Street residence in Fergus Falls.

She was born on November 6, 1917, at a home in rural Fergus Falls, the daughter of Cornelius and Koosje (deBloois) Mark. The family later moved to a home near Joten Lake in rural Dalton.
She was baptized at home and at the age of 15 was confirmed at Tordenskjold Lutheran Church.
After finishing her schooling at District 20, she worked for many families in the Dalton and Underwood area, doing housework and helping mothers with small children.

On November 18, 1939 she married Clifford Swendsrud at the church parsonage in Dalton. The couple lived on the Otto Swendsrud farm and this is where they raised their family of five children. When the youngest went to school, Bessie began working again and through the years worked at Dalton Meat Locker, and for 15 years worked at the West Central Turkey plant in Pelican Rapids. She also did seasonal housekeeping for Ten Mile Lake Resort.

She joined Ten Mile Lake Lutheran Church in 1940 and was an active member since. She was active in Ladies Aid. She was also active in the Dalton 4H.

Through the years she enjoyed doing handiwork including crocheting and quilting, baking, cooking, doing puzzles, playing cards and bingo.

Bessie moved into Dalton in 1978 after Clifford’s death in 1976. In 1995 she moved to Underwood and remained there until she moved to Mill Street Residence in November 2011.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband; and siblings, John, Martin and Huberdina Mark, Nellie Larson and Corie Pederson.

Survivors include her five children, Charles (Joan) Swendsrud of Dalton, Karen (Butch) Frederick of Battle Lake, Gary (Pauline) Swendsrud of Carlos, Betty (Lyle) Skinnemoen of Dalton, and Donna Behrens of New Richmond, WI; 15 grandchildren: Heidi (Paul) Hoff, Peter (Jill) Swendsrud, Tony (Amy) Swendsrud, Susan (Robert) Thormodson, Ellen (Marcus) Stalboerger, Philip (Brenda) Frederick, Monica Swendsrud, Mike (Cassi) Swendsrud, Missy (Wayne) Munson, Annette Hedstrom, Keri (Jeff) Orndorff, Teresa (Kurt) Nierste, Jackie (Steve) Schmidt, Jenn (Ronnie) Young, and Jess (Justin) Haller; 36 great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and siblings Henry (Ann) Mark, Floyd Mark, and Marie (Dennis) Priebnow.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Friday, October 4th at Zion-Sarpsborg in Dalton with a 7 p.m. prayer service and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 1 p.m. Saturday, October 5, 2013 at Zion Sarpsborg Free Lutheran Church in Dalton
Clergy: Reverend Tom Junkert
Interment: Ten Mile Lake Lutheran Cemetery, rural Dalton, Minnesota
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.