Obituaries 03/06/25
LeRoy Swanson, 96
LeRoy Russell Swanson, 96, arrived into this world on December 26, 1928, and returned to his heavenly home on February 26, 2025, after suffering from complications of a stroke at Buffalo Hospital. LeRoy had a long, resilient life. He was the youngest of Alfred and Daisy Swanson’s ten children and the last to pass on. His parents’ families were both original settlers of Marysville township and members of the Swedesburg Lutheran church. LeRoy was very proud of his Swedish and English heritage. His father’s family were first-generation Americans from Vejan, Sweden. His mother’s family came to America on the Mayflower.
As a child of the Great Depression, LeRoy had a strong work ethic and a determination to survive. LeRoy’s mother died soon after his birth. His father passed away when LeRoy was twelve. As a child, he helped make ends meet by selling seeds, trapping and selling pelts, and toiling as a farmhand. After his father died, he stayed with his sister, Grace. When he graduated from country school, he continued to work in the Buffalo area until he was seventeen. LeRoy then traveled to North Dakota to work in the potato fields and then South Dakota to be a farmhand and a construction worker. Eventually, the Great Promise of the West called him to California. There, he discovered the majesty of the mountains and the ocean’s wonders. LeRoy became the head manager of a water works company in Los Angeles. Whatever LeRoy set his hand to, he put forth his best effort and succeeded. Despite his success and love for California, Minnesota called him back home. He continued as a blue-collar worker, a proud member of The Carpenters Union, who helped provide for the American people.
In 1953, LeRoy married his first wife and had a stepdaughter and a son. Though their marriage did not last long, LeRoy discovered the joy of fatherhood. Ten years later, he married the love of his life, “Sally,” whom he had met while living in Minneapolis. In July of 1963, they eloped to Las Vegas, Nevada. He loved dining and dancing with his love, spending evenings at the movie theater, taking her fishing, and introducing her to life in the country. In 1967, they settled on the farm outside of Buffalo, which he called home until his death. He dedicated his life to raising his children and building a home. He took the time to teach his children and grandchildren, instilling in them his stories. With his wisdom, he taught them to discuss and discern the theories of life, politics, and faith. He embedded in them the value of education and ensured they experienced the beauty of music, dancing, and creativity. He taught them the importance of work and play and passed on his love of the outdoors and adventure. You would find him in the garden teaching them to sow seeds, in the woods showing them the different animal tracks, and by the lake helping them get their line out further to catch a fish. As he worked on his home improvement projects on the farm, you would always find a child tagging along, and he would teach them how to use his tools. In the evenings, he would entertain them by playing baseball or singing and dancing with them across the living room floor. LeRoy’s love for family ran deep. He was always concerned for their well-being and invested in their lives.
In his twilight years, he was delighted to watch his great-grandchildren play. He always had a little sweet in his pocket for them. You would find him dutifully caring for his beloved wife, whom he celebrated 60 years of marriage with just before she passed away, sitting on his porch enjoying the peacefulness of his farm, retelling the stories of his youth, reminiscing about old friends, and inquiring about his family’s adventures.
LeRoy is preceded in death by wife, Selma “Sally” (Rice) Swanson; son, Gregory Swanson; parents, Alfred and Daisy (Jewett) Swanson; brothers, Vernon, Marvin, Alvin, Kenneth, and Harold; sisters, Grace Erickson, Laurella Vieau, Doris Stumpf, Ruby Stumpf; as well as extended family and friends.
He is survived by his son, John (Stephanie) Swanson; daughter, Lori (Justin Petersen) Swanson; and stepdaughter, Connie (Lynn) Leffew; grandchildren, Zachary (Kelly) Swanson, Jessica (Ron) Wright, Brenden (Cassidy) Swanson, Charlie (Cortney) Swanson; and step-granddaughter, Isabella Petersen. LeRoy’s legacy continues with many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was a good-hearted man and will be dearly missed.
A celebration of LeRoy’s life will be held Saturday, March 15, at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN. Officiated by his daughter, Lori Swanson, visitation begins at 10 A.M., service at 11 A.M., and internment is at Swedesburg Lutheran Cemetery in Marysville Township, Wright County. A time of fellowship will follow internment.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Mara Swenson, 50
Mara Inger Swenson, 50, died at home on February 28, 2025, after a quiet, courageous 14-month battle with stage 4 colon cancer.
She was born on January 15, 1975, in Buffalo, MN, to Clark and Karen Swenson. She graduated from Buffalo High School in 1993 and went on to attend Anoka Technical College where she earned her certification in childcare.
Mara was baptized, confirmed, and married in Zion Lutheran Church where she later supervised the nursery for seven years before moving to Colorado.
Always the quiet, eternal optimist, and helper, Mara was frequently heard encouraging others by saying, “It will be okay; everything will be fine.” She was a born caregiver, who never raised her voice, and was known for her selfless ability to bring comfort to those around her. Her deep empathy, unending patience, and caring for others transitioned her into the field of healthcare where she earned her CNA certification. A lifelong learner, with the goal of pursuing nursing, she was still taking online classes two weeks before her death.
Mara loved adventure and liked staying busy; her interests were many: quilting, jewelry making, candle making, jigsaw puzzling, and anything that involved cooking and baking. She functioned best in her kitchen, making, decorating, and showcasing cakes to give away or sell.
Like all little girls, she loved tagging along with her dad while he directed plays. Blessed with an incredible memory, she would often perform at home, reciting multiple character’s lines, as well as entire play scenes.
Mara will be remembered as a loving daughter, mom, sister, aunt, and grandmother to Payton, the light of her life. Generous to a fault, she loved buying gifts, and was especially fond of spoiling her niece and nephews with endless cabin treats and snacks.
She is preceded in death by her father, Clark Swenson; and aunt, Margo Swenson.
Survivors include her children, Jordan Swenson, of Buffalo, and Makenna Swenson, of Elk River; granddaughter, Payton Swenson; mother, Karen Swenson, of Buffalo; brother, Grant (Melany) Swenson; nephews, Jonah, Ryder, and Zarik, of St. Augusta; brother, Leif (Jenna) Swenson; nephew, Ari, and niece, Isla, of Minnetonka; aunt, Jan Swenson Erickson, of Plymouth; uncle, Dane (Claudia) Wobschall, of Waseca; cousins, Brittany and Megan Wobschall, of South St. Paul; and ex-husband, Jeff Swenson.
Memorial service will be held Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. with visitation one hour prior to the service at The Peterson Chapel, 119 Central Avenue, Buffalo. MN. Interment will be held at a later date at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Brooten, MN.
Please direct all memorials to Zion Lutheran Church, children and youth groups.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
