Shirley J. Swenson

Age 87, of St. Paul, MN died peacefully Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at Our Lady of Peace Home in St. Paul.

Loving wife of Donald M. Swenson for 67 years.  They married on January 13, 1951.

Loving Mother of Debbie Fangel (Jerry), Sue Baldwin (Dale), Donna Swenson (deceased).

Loving Grandma of Bryan Baldwin (Molly), Shannon Pryor (Jason), Stacey Cerar (Jason), Josh Fangel (Rachael), Krystle Reese (Jason).

Loving Great Grandma of Maggie Baldwin, Sam Baldwin, Cash Cerar, Dalen Reese, Knox Cerar, and Avery Pryor.

Shirley (Wilwert) Swenson daughter of Peter and Lavina Wilwert was born February 20, 1931 in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was the second oldest of 11 siblings. Doris Guerin-d (Mike-d), Gene Wilwert-d (Jeanette), Marley Thatcher (Bob-d), Mickey Wilwert-d (Jean-d), Kenny Wilwert (Judy), Diane Hruska-d (Jay), Harold Wilwert-d (Ann-d),  Karen Hansmann (Harvey-d),  Jan Zak (Marv), Chuck Wilwert-d (Melinda).

Shirley attended Scheffer Elementary School, Jackson Middle School and Mechanic Arts High School.  She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in St. Paul.  It was the only church she ever belonged to and it held a special place in her heart.

Shirley was an avid reader. She loved to sit in her favorite chair with a cup of coffee and read every morning.  She volunteered in the library at Jackson School, and was recognized for her years of service.  Shirley and Don volunteered at Faith Lutheran Church for years in so many different ways.   Shirley and Don also volunteered at the Mpls-St. Paul Airport at the Armed Forces Service Center assisting service members that were either leaving or coming home from deployment.  They loved helping others.

Shirley has so many friends who are special to her.  Bob and Terry Valentine, Sister Petrann Sieben and so many of her church congregation.  She was loved by so many people and will be greatly missed.

Friends may call at the Johnson Peterson Funeral Home, 612 South Smith Ave., St. Pau, MN 55107 from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4.  Visitation will also be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 5 at Faith Lutheran Church with the service following at 11:00.  A luncheon will be served in the church basement after the service. Interment will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.

Memorials preferred to Faith Lutheran Church or Our Lady of Peace Community Hospice.

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