Kathleen “Kitty” Sween, age 89, died peacefully on September 4, 2016 at the Grand Meadow Health Care Center, where she had been a resident for the past two years.
Kitty was born on July 29, 1927 in Grand Meadow, Minn., to Alvin and Marcella (Armstrong) Stier. She graduated from Grand Meadow High School in 1945 and attended St. Teresa’s College in Winona.
On July 26, 1947, she married Norman E. Sween, her high school sweetheart, and they started the love story that would span 69 years. They began their married life in Great Lakes, Ill., where Norm was stationed with the U.S. Navy, later returning to Grand Meadow.
Kitty’s life centered around her family, her flowers, and her faith. Service to others included many years as one of the Preschool Vision and Hearing coordinators for Mower and Fillmore County, working closely with the Public Health Nurses and volunteers. Kitty would bring her machines to local schools and churches, where many 4-year-olds can thank Kitty for early detection of health concerns. Later, Kitty worked as a home health aide in the Grand Meadow area and volunteered for countless hours at the Grand Meadow Nursing Home.
Kitty is survived by her husband, Norman of Grand Meadow; sons Dan (Carolyn) of Grand Meadow, Douglas (Joan) of Rochester, and daughter Cindy (Doug) Ofstedal of Harmony. Six grandchildren: Patrick (Shawn) Sween, Chuck (Jenn) Sween of Rochester, Adrienne (Matt) Craft of Grand Meadow, Sarah (David) Ramer of Minneapolis, Brit (Megan) Ofstedal of Tokyo, Japan, and Sheldyn (Sam) Himle of Milwaukee, Wis.; 12 great-grandchildren: Kieran, Lucca, Rowan, Calum and Eliot Sween, Lucia Sween, Cohen, Fiona and Harlow Craft; Evelyn Ofstedal, and Kira and Ean Ramer. She is also survived by brothers Francis (Barbara) Stier and David (Bonnie) Stier, sisters Suzanne (Tom) Kjeer and Sylvia Christian, and sisters-in-law Helen Stier, Marilyn Stier and Betty Sween. Many nieces and nephews had a special place in their heart for Kitty.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Paul T. Sween; brothers Richard Stier, Jerry Stier, and Adrian Stier; brothers-in-law Gordon Sween and Dave Christian, and a sister-in-law, Dale Stier.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, September 8, 2016 at St. Finbarr Catholic Church in Grand Meadow, Minn., with Father Marreddy Pothireddy officiating. A private family burial will take place at a later date. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at St. Finbarr Catholic Church. A Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. Condolences may be left at www.Hindtfuneralhomes.com.
The family suggest your memorials go to your local food shelf.