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Ruth H. Swanson Obituary – 5/2/2013


Ruth Helen (Bengtson) Swanson, age 95, of Golden Valley, formerly of Willmar, passed away peacefully early in the morning of Thursday, May 2, 2013.

A memorial service will take place Saturday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the Salem Covenant Church, 2655 – 5th St. NW, in New Brighton.

There was visitation Sunday May 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel, followed by interment at the Dassel Community Cemetery.

Ruth was born March 25, 1918, in Willmar, to Oscar and Hannah (Carlson) Bengtson. She was baptized at the Mission Covenant Church in Willmar.

Her family moved to Kandiyohi, where she started school, and then to Dassel, where she was confirmed in the Dassel Covenant Church, and graduated from the Dassel High School.

Ruth married Edmund Swanson in 1938, and the couple moved to Willmar, where they were members of First Covenant Church.

In 1998, Ruth and Edmund moved to Covenant Village in Golden Valley.

Ruth was very active in the music ministry of her church, serving as the organist at First Covenant Church and the First Presbyterian Church for over 30 years, as well as being the pianist for the Covenant Hour radio program for 25 years. She also was active in the church circles and Covenant Woman.

Ruth is survived by her five children: Connie (Jack) Daugherty of Eden Prairie, Larry (Connie) Swanson of Fargo, ND, Tim (Kathy) Swanson of Long Lake, Barbara (Rudy) Ronning of Appleton, and Shannyn (Mick) Stoffel of Blaine; 15 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Gordon (Gladys) Bengtson of Golden Valley.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edmund; granddaughters Kathryn Mary Daugherty, and Ann Margaret Daugherty; a great-grandson, Jack Alexander Roane; seven brothers; and one sister.

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