Thief River Falls – Norma Swanson, 91, of Thief River Falls passed away on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at Sanford Medical Center, Thief River Falls, with her loving family by her side.
Norma Elaine Hanson was born November 10, 1929 to Hans P. and Naomi (Hofius) Hanson in Garvis Township in Plummer, Minnesota. She was baptized in the Presbyterian Church of Plummer and confirmed in Clearwater Lutheran Church. She attended rural school and Pershing High School in Plummer, where she graduated in 1948.
Norma was united in marriage to Clarence Swanson on October 23, 1948. The couple lived on the Swanson Homestead in Bray Township, Pennington County, where they operated a small grain and dairy farm in addition to raising their eight wonderful children.
Norma was a member of Black River Lutheran Church, women of the WELCA, Garden Club, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Homemakers Club.
She loved baking, tending to her gardens, sewing for her family, reading, dancing with Clarence in their earlier years, and always looked forward to gathering with family on Sunday for pancakes after church.
In 1979 Norma and Clarence received the Pennington County Conservation Farmer Award and the Honored Dairymen’s Award. In 1982 they were selected to receive the Red River Valley Farmer & Homemaker Award.
In 1981 the couple were proud to see their son, Lyle and his wife, Joni take over the Swanson Family Farm, which became a Century Farm in 1982. That year, Norma and Clarence made their retirement home in Polk Centre Township. Clarence passed away September 13, 2002 and in April 2003, Norma made her home at Skylite Apartments in Thief River Falls. In January 2013 she moved to Greenleaf Assisted Living and in August 2020 moved in with her daughter, Pam and husband, Jay, which allowed more time with her family and her family with her.
Norma is survived by her eight children, Curtis (Marilyn) Swanson, Gloria (Godfred) Svir, Betty (Dale) Schantzen, Lyle (Joni) Swanson, Mark (Virginia) Swanson all of Thief River Falls, Larry Swanson of Fairbanks, Alaska, James Swanson and Pam (Jay) Brekke of Thief River Falls; 21 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; grandchild, James Michael “Jamie”; parents; sisters, Margie (Clement) Prestebak, Idella (George) Rewertz and Shirley (Leonard) Yonke; brothers, Harvey, Harold and Allen Hanson; and step-father, Hank Altoff.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, March 19, 2021 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at Black River Lutheran Church.
The funeral to celebrate Norma’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at Black River Lutheran Church, rural St. Hilaire, with Rev. Frank Ehling officiating. Burial will follow at the Black River Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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