Kathryn Swenson

Kathryn M. Swenson, age 86, of Willmar died Monday morning, August 26, at Bethesda Pleasant View Nursing Home in Willmar
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, August 29, at Tripolis Evangelical Lutheran Church near Kandiyohi. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, August 28, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Kathryn Mae Swenson was born June 16, 1927 in Willmar, Minnesota, the daughter of Ole and Elsie (Engwall) Balke. She grew up and attended school in Willmar, graduating from Willmar High School in 1945. On August 28, 1947, she married Arnold Swenson and they farmed near Priam. In 1952, they moved to a farm south of Kandiyohi. Kathryn was employed at Molenaar, Inc. for over 20 years until retiring due to Arnold's health. She was a faithful caregiver to Arnold in his last years.
Kathryn was a longtime member of Tripolis Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she was active in WELCA and numerous church activities. She was also a 4-H leader and was active with Home Extension and Willmar Senior Citizens. She enjoyed square dancing, traveling and entertaining her family.
She is survived by her children, Karol (and Ron) Markfelder of Willmar, Marlene (and Leon) Visser of Raymond, Ronald (and Carmen) Swenson of Willmar, and Janet (and Daniel) Adrian of Eagan; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Richard Balke of Northfield; a sister, Helen Groen of Murdock; a brother-in-law, Kenneth (and Lorraine) Swenson of Albert City, IA; a sister-in-law, Lorraine Elmquist of Dassel; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Arnold in 2001.