Richard Swenson, 97, of Fergus Falls, died Friday, July 18, 2014 at the Broen Memorial Home.
He was born on March 25, 1917 in Aurdal Township, the son of John and Inga (Stolson) Swenson. He attended schools in Otter Tail County. He loved music and played his accordion at entertainments and dances.
On September 18, 1940, he married Olive Hanson. The couple farmed at Hoffman, MN until 1959 at which time he bought a farm north of Battle Lake. He was employed by Johnson Construction Company for 3 ½ years, G. T. A. elevator for 18 ½ years, Metro Meats Packing House until it closed and at Pal-O-Pak until his retirements. In 1979 they retired and were able to spend many winters in Arizona, where he worked part time at Turf Paradise. They remained on their Battle Lake farm until 1994 when they moved to Park Rapids. They returned to Fergus Falls in 2001.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Olive; five brothers, Ervin, Robert, Palmer, Selvin and Morris Swenson; and five sisters, Stella Swenson, Lillian Johnson, Ruby VanSanten, Margaret Barry and Alma Palmquist.
He is survived by four sons: Timothy (Carol) of Fergus Falls, Russel (Maxine) of Underwood, Rodney (Karmen) of Silver Lake, and Jeffrey (Cindy) of Verndale; three daughters: Diane King of Big Lake, Faith Reusch of Fergus Falls, and Shelley (Gary) Schott of Minneapolis; 14 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren; sister, Vivian (Maurice) Kugler of Fergus Falls and sister-in-law, Arlette Swenson of Alexandria, MN. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial Service: 1 p.m. Friday, July 25, 2014 at the Olson Funeral Home Chapel, Fergus Falls, MN
Clergy: Reverend Dan Cole
Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls