R. Swensen

R. Frederick Swensen, age 81, of Voyager Village, Burnett County, WI, passed away Thursday, May 7, 2015. Fred was born in Saint Paul, MN, on October 16, 1933, a son of the late Russell Frederick and Ruby Luella (Peterson) Swensen. He attended public schools in Saint Paul and was a 1951 graduate of Murray High School. He then attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education. Later in his life, he attended Bemidji State University receiving a Master’s Degree in Counseling. Fred served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was honorably discharged. He was a career High School Physical Education Teacher. Fred coached swim and track at the Virginia High School. He retired in 1977 from his last position with the Virginia School District in Virginia, MN. After retirement, Fred operated his own candy distributorship, Swensen Distributing and then became an insurance agent with New York Life Insurance Co. Besides Saint Paul and Virginia, Fred has resided in Stillwater, MN, Lake of the Woods, Canada and most recently in Voyager Village near Danbury, WI. Fred was a member of Education Minnesota, the Kiwanis Club, and Ducks Unlimited. He attended St. Andrew Lutheran Church when he was residing in Stillwater. He received great pleasure golfing, fishing, and duck hunting, and loved black Labrador retrievers. He also enjoyed sports, especially hockey, which he played in high school. Fred was a hard working, gregarious man. He had a great sense of humor, but could also be persistent and determined. He is preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Ruby Swensen; and a sister, Audrey (Gran) Gutterson. Fred is survived by three children: Michael Swensen, Jaci (Mike) Wright, and Becky (Terry) Christensen. He was extremely proud of his grandchildren: Nils and Leif Swensen; Ryan, Andrew, and Natalie Wright; Brittany, Morgan, and Jillian Ofstad; and Bethany and Kayla Christensen. Also surviving is a sister, Shirley (Art) Hage; a very special friend, Diane Johnson; as well as many nieces and nephews. No services will be held. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Webster, WI. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com.