Shirley Ann Swenson, 95, died Wednesday, June 5, 2025, at Park Lane Assisted Living in Preston, Minn.
Shirley was born December 17, 1929, to Edgar and Olga (Thompson) Selness in Allamakee County, Iowa. Her father died when Shirley and her brother Gaylen were elementary school students, and eventually the family moved to Spring Grove. She was a 1948 graduate of Spring Grove High School. On October 16, 1949, she married Sander Jerome Swenson at Trinity Lutheran Church, and for most of their years together they operated the Swenson family farm south of Spring Grove in Winneshiek County, Iowa.
Shirley was devoted to the people around her and the tasks put before her. Along with her role of farm wife and mother, she was very active in the Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church women’s groups and volunteer organizations. Her kindness and thoughtfulness touched so many over the years and now serve as an inspiration to those who survive; three daughters: Kathleen (John) Abrahamson of Lanesboro, Nancy (Robert C.) Dalldorf of Wilton, Conn., and Mary Lynn (David) Rettig of Middle, Iowa; six grandchildren: Sarah Solum (Robert Ghoorah), Rebekah Solum (Fouad Michel), Marguerite Abrahamson (Daniel Schwiebert), Elizbeth Abrahamson (Riley Bahl), Robert S. Dalldorf and Katherine Dalldorf; five great-grandchildren: Sander Michel, Grace Ghoorah, Dylan Ghoorah, August Abrahamson-Bahl and Ellis Abrahamson-Bahl; a sister-in-law, Geri Worden; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Sander, her parents and her brother Gaylen.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025, at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church, rural Spring Grove, with Pastor Elizabeth Hermeier officiating. The burial took place in the church cemetery. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service.
Shirley’s family wishes to thank the Park Lane Assisted Living community and staff along with St. Croix Hospice for their excellent care.
Roble Funeral Home of Spring Grove assisted the family with arrangements.
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