Mary Lou Swanson

Mary Lou (Nelson) Swanson, 90, passed away on Monday, October 25th, 2021 in Essentia-Health, Sandstone. She was born in Thornton, IA on July 25th, 1931 to Alma (Pals) and Charles Nelson. She attended a country school until 5th grade when she attended the school in Ventura, IA.

Later, her parents moved to Clear Lake, IA where she graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1949. She later went with her parents when they went to pastor a church in the Appalachia Kentucky Area. They lived in Bluebird, KY in the coal mining hollow for two years. The family then moved to Burt, IA where Mary Lou worked for the Pioneer Seed Company in Quality Control before working for several other Algona, IA local businesses. Mary Lou moved to Kettle River in 1954 with her parents where she helped her parents in the church they pastored. She played the piano and sang at many places, on TV, radio, and in church. Mary Lou also worked for three years as a doctor’s aide at the Duluth Clinic.

On May 31st, 1958, she married Gordon L. Swanson of Askov, MN. They made their home on the farm there. To this union, two children were born: Corinne Joy and George Charles. Mary Lou and Gordon were dairy farmers. During this time, she served on the Askov School Board and the Askov Mercantile Grocery Store Board. She was voted Pine County Farm Woman of the Year in 1989. Mary Lou taught a ladies neighborhood bible study for 25 years, was devoted to the church’s youth, and was also the church pianist. Mary Lou and Gordon retired from family dairy farming in 1989 which allowed them the time to garden, go fishing, and travel the world including stays in Europe, Hawaii, and England.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Lee Swanson; daughter, Corinne Harmon; parents, Charles and Alma Nelson; sister, Naomie Janssen; and brother, Philip Nelson.

She will be lovingly remembered by her son, George (Marie) Swanson; grandchildren, Ben Swanson, Elizabeth (Colin) Blonski, and Lauren Swanson; brother, Paul (LeAnn) Nelson; sister-in-law, Betty Nelson; brother-in-law, Morris Janssen; and numerous nieces and nephews.