Merald Swenson

Merald J. Swenson, age 86, Ortonville, MN, formerly of Brown Valley, MN, passed away Saturday, December 9, at Autumn Cottages Memory Care in Alexandria.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday, December 19, at 2:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Ortonville.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

A private family burial will be held at a later date in the Mound Cemetery, Ortonville.

Merald John Swenson was born September 15, 1937, to Sayford and Dorothy (Shaleen) Swenson in Appleton, MN.  He was baptized in the Lutheran faith on February 1, 1938.  Merald lived at home with his parents on four different farms during the first 32 years of his life.  He went to country school at District 13 in Artichoke Township.  In 1946, the family moved to Akron Township where Merald attended District 53 school through the eighth grade.  Merald then attended Appleton High School, graduating in 1955.

Merald joined the Minnesota Army National Guard in January of 1957 and served eight years finishing in January of 1964.  He continued living at home with his parents on the farm.  His dad passed away in 1968.  In 1969, Merald and his mom moved into Ortonville and they lived with his mom's brother Clarence.  Merald worked at the Red Owl store in Ortonville for approximately five years.

In October 1976, Merald was married.  To this marriage two children were born, Madeleine and Monica.  Merald loved his children. He also cared for their mother.  Merald was employed at the Detoxification Center in Graceville for 14 years.  He later worked as a CNA at the Browns Valley Care Center, retiring in September of 2007 at the age of 70.

Merald loved the Lord and grew up attending church at Zion Lutheran Church in Ortonville.  He later attended the Assembly of God Church in Ortonville, the United Methodist Church in Beardsley, and most recently Zion Lutheran Church in Ortonville.

Merald loved sports, especially the Minnesota Twins, Gopher basketball and football, the Timberwolves and the Lynx.

Survivors include his children, Madeleine Swenson of Montevideo, MN, and Monica Swenson of Willmar, MN; grandsons, Tyler and Tanner Luther of Ortonville; brothers, Dorwin Swenson of Ortonville, and Marlin (Fran) Swenson of Las Vegas, NV.

Merald was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Marie Florence; parents, Sayford and Dorothy; uncle, Clarence; and several aunts and uncles.