Lester Bernard Swenson, 70, Jasper, formerly of rural Rock County, died Sunday, March 2, 2003, at Pipestone County Medical Center in Pipestone.
Services were Thursday, March 6, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne. Burial was in Rose Dell Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, rural Jasper.
Lester Swenson was born to Chester C. and Ragna L. (Haroldson) Swenson on March 30, 1932, in rural Rock County. He was baptized on June 4, 1932, in Luverne. He was raised on the family farm and attended school in Rock County. Following his education, he worked on the family farm until 1951 when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served during the Korean War and in 1955 was granted an honorable discharge. Following his discharge, he returned home to Rock County.
He married Shirley Buss on Nov. 10, 1956, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. Following their marriage, they lived in Rock County until 1969 when they moved to Jasper. He retired at age 62.
Mr. Swenson was a former member of Rose Dell Trinity Lutheran Church of Jasper. He currently was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne. He served as chairman of the Split Rock State Park Advisory Board for many years. He also was a member of Arthur Moeller American Legion Post 478 in Hardwick. His hobbies consisted of reading and watching his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Swenson, Jasper; five children, Greg Swenson, Jasper, and his special friend Karen Hemminger, Mark Swenson, Lakeville, and his fiancé Diane Holter, Scott Swenson, Edgerton, Brenda Law, Kansas City, Mo., and her special friend, Deon Durr, and Kimberly Pierret and her husband, Wayne, Sherman, S.D.; 10 grandchildren, Kayla Swenson, Shabrielle Law, Freia Fenelon, Liz Holter, Josianne Holter, Taylor Swenson, Colby Pierret, Evia Ona Durr, Haylee Swenson and Hayden Pierret; two brothers, Russell (Jeane) Swenson and Dale (Marilyn) Swenson, all of Luverne, and one sister, Verna (Wallace) Schmuck, Luverne.
Mr. Swenson was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth Swenson and his wife, Betty.
Foster-Hartquist Funeral Chapel in Jasper was in charge of arrangements.
