Mildred Lillian Swanson, 91, of Mentor, MN, died on Monday April 16, 2012 at Poplar Meadows Assisted Living Center in McIntosh, MN. She was born on February 6, 1921, to Emil and Clara (Kaste) Erickson on the family farm in Garfield Township, rural Fertile. Mildred was baptized and confirmed in Norwegian at Little Norway Lutheran Church and attended Lakeview Rural School near her home.
On December 8, 1944, Mildred was united in marriage to John Swanson. They lived in Fosston before moving to a farm in rural Mentor in 1948 where they farmed and raised their family. They were active members at Maple Lake Lutheran Church for many years. She was known for her excellent cooking skills, hospitality, generosity, and unwavering faith in God. Their home was often the gathering place for family and friends. She and John were master gardeners for the University of Minnesota. They tested and evaluated new experimental varieties of vegetables. Both enjoyed exhibiting at the Fertile County Fair; winning thousands of ribbons was a bonus. When John started working at American Crystal, Mildred milked cows, took care of other livestock, baled hay, hauled grain, and did anything else that needed to be done on the farm.
Mildred is survived by one son John (Kathleen) Mentor, MN; and one daughter, Jan Jodock (Darrell) Minneapolis, MN; six grandchildren: Lynnette Showers (Patrick) White Bear Lake, MN, Patricia Ross (Corey) Longview, TX , John David Swanson (Mary Beth) Mentor, MN, Steven Swanson (Nicole) Vicenza, Italy, Erik Jodock, St. Paul, MN, and Aren Jodock (Hazel) Cincinnati, OH; seven great grandchildren: Jesiah, Adriel, Eliah, & Malachi Showers, John Thomas Swanson, Sage and Torsten Jodock; one sister June Erickson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband John on August 27, 2001; one sister Evelyn Erickson, three brothers Clifford (Bernice), Gilman (Caroline), and Arnold (Ida); and her parents.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 3:00 PM in Maple Lake Lutheran Church, rural Fertile, MN.

Visitation will be on Friday April 20, 2012 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 6:30 PM at the Erikson-Vik Funeral Home in Fertile, MN.

Burial Maple Lake Lutheran Cemetery rural Fertile.

Scripture Readers
Lynnette Showers and Patty Ross

Tom Hovland, Organist

Carol Benson, Soloist

Congregational Hymns
"I Know My Redeemer Lives"

"Children Of The Heavenly Father"

"My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less

Pallbearers
John David Swanson
Erik Jodock Aren Jodock
Steven Swanson Dan Qualley
Jerry Erickson Charles Schulstad