Services for Dawn Louise “Louisa” Swenson
Dawn Louise “Louisa” Swenson, 52, of Bagley, MN, passed away on Monday, September 7, 2020, at her home. She was born December 17, 1967, in Bagley, the daughter of Duane and Margaret (Plan) Swenson. She graduated in 1986 from Bagley High School. On a scholarship, she attended the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, later graduating from Concordia College, Moorhead with a degree in social work and human services.
Dawn grew up a hard and diligent worker and demonstrated her various talents throughout her career. After college, Dawn worked with Upward Bound at Bemidji State University and at First Lutheran Church of Bemidji; both gave her the opportunity to live out her faith by helping others. Dawn later moved to Minneapolis and was employed by Minnesota Multi-housing and then to Illinois, working for Roda Specialty Steel, Inc, where she continued to work remotely when she moved back to Bagley, MN to help and spend time with her family. Ambitions to work with others and help in any way she could kept drawing her back to working in various group homes with people with developmental disabilities.
Dawn was devoted to her faith and her family, which was demonstrated through everything she did. It could be something as simple as lending a hand or as complex as learning a new trade.
Her highlight in life was her family and friends. Dawn loved to make memories by gathering to bake, cook or can, listen to music, tell stories, garden, sew, sing off-key, dance, canoe, camp, tube, snowmobile, ski, attend church, worship, play with kids, make memories, and always make everyone feel important and loved. She knew every creative and fun tactic, in the book, when it came to the kids in her life and kids would light up just knowing that Dawn was in their presence.
There wasn’t a time that she wasn’t there for her family when they needed her. Dawn answered the call to move to Illinois to help nurture Lena, Olivia, and Aundrea, which brought much joy and fulfillment to her life. Led by her faith, she moved back to Bagley to spend more time with her family and assist in any way she could. She was there to cherish her niece and nephews, Emily, Elijah, and Isaiah, which filled her soul.
Dawn's kind, gentle soul simply had a way of connecting heart to heart with people. She exemplified her love by always having genuine, caring conversations and giving of herself in any way possible. If you asked Dawn for help, she was there for you. This deep love for people, along with her soft -spoken nature, naturally developed long lasting relationships. These relationships showed people how much she truly valued and appreciated them for who they were. Her love for God, and for life, always shined! She will always serve in our hearts as a light filled with hope, promise, and enduring love. May God continue to bless her memory for all who loved her so dearly.
She is survived by her mom, Margaret, of Bagley; brothers Ronald (Twila) Swenson of Bagley, Donald (Elaine) Swenson of Maple Grove, MN, Mark Swenson of Bagley, Troy (Angie) Swenson of Bagley; sisters Karen Albright of Kirkland, WA, Heidi (Terry) Strom of Erskine, MN, and Megan (Ryan) Handyside, also of Bagley, MN. She was preceded in death by her dad, Duane Swenson.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2020 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm with Memorial Services starting at 3:00 p.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church in Bagley, MN. A Celebration of Life will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at the Fireside Grill and Patio in Bagley, MN.
Interment will be at a later date at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Bagley, MN. The Cease Funeral Home of Bagley, MN assisted the family with arrangements.
Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com
