Dale Swenson
Dale Arden Swenson, 82, Luverne, died Friday, March 29, 2019, at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage in Luverne.
A funeral service was Monday, April 1, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne. Burial followed at the Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Dale Swenson was born Dec. 21, 1936, to Chester and Ragna (Haroldson) Swenson in Rosedale Township, Minnesota. He was baptized and later confirmed at Rosedale Lutheran Church east of Jasper. He was raised on a farm and attended public school through the eighth grade in Hardwick.
In 1956 Dale married Marilyn Gibson at Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne. He worked as a farmhand for two years before becoming employed in maintenance at the Blue Mound Inn north of Luverne for 26 years. He then worked as the resident manager of the Centennial Apartments for 20 years. Following this job, he worked in maintenance at the Luverne Medical Center before retiring in 2001. He remained active with his woodcarving passion, and through the years, Dale and Marilyn also worked as campground hosts for Split Rock State Park near Ihlen and the Lake Shetek State Park near Currie.
Dale was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne where he served as an usher. He was a member of Blue Mound Wood Carvers and often was a vendor with his projects at Arts in the Park in Luverne. Along with woodcarving and camping, he enjoyed putting together puzzles, riding his scooter, and especially enjoyed spending time with family. Dale will be remembered for helping others and fixing almost anything.
Dale is survived by his wife, Marilyn; six children, Richard (Julie) Swenson of Buffalo, Gary (Kathy) Swenson of Austin, Laura (David) Williams of Defiance, Missouri, Jody (Joe) Foerster of Cambridge, Bruce (Dee) Swenson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Robyn (John) Weisbrich of Humbolt, Iowa; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a sister, Verna Schmuck of Luverne; and three sisters-in-law, Shirley Swenson, Jean Swenson, and Jan Gibson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Russell, Kenneth, and Lester.
Memorials may be directed to the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage or Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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