NICOLLET–Former State Representative Howard Swenson (93) of rural Nicollet died peacefully on Sunday, March 24, 2024.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Norseland Lutheran Church located 10 miles west of St. Peter, MN on State Highway 22. Burial to follow at the Norseland Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the Norseland Lutheran Church on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 from 4:00-8:00 p.m.and on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from 10:00-11:00 a.m., 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Pastor Kyle Madson officiating. Condolences for the family can be left at www.saintpeterfuneralhome.com

Howard was born December 20, 1930 in New Ulm, MN to Maurice and Alice (Peterson) Swenson. He was baptized and confirmed at the Norseland Lutheran Church where he was a lifelong member. He graduated from Bethany Lutheran High School in 1948.

He married Jane Lippmann on September 13, 1952 at the Methodist Church of Fairfax, Minnesota. Together they had 5 children: Julianne, Janet, Nancy, Ruth and Paul.

Howard remained on the home farm all of his life, which was home-steaded in 1857, specializing in breeding Registered Holstein dairy cattle. In 1993 he received the “Breeder of the Year” award from the Purebred Dairy Cattle Breeders’ Association.

Howard endlessly volunteered within his community and the dairy industry. He thrived off his keen interest in his church, community, state, and country.

He served his church as treasurer, trustee and a cemetery board member. He also sang in the church choir for over 50 years. He was a very active 4-Her in his youth and later served as an adult leader. He served 10 years in the Minnesota Legislature as a State Representative, while serving he received awards from numerous groups for his service. He was a charter member of the Nicollet Lions Club and remained an active member throughout his life.

Additionally, Howard served 12 years on the Nicollet School Board. He was an active board member of the Minnesota Holstein Breeders’ Association and the Minnesota Purebred Dairy Cattle Association, the Federal Land Bank of Mankato, Nicollet County Farm Bureau, and served eight years on the Minnesota Rural Finance Authority Board.

Howard was named “Outstanding Young Farmer” in 1965 and given the “Longtime Meritorious Service Award” by the Minnesota Holstein Association in 2011. Howard and Jane were named “Nicollet County Farm Family of the Year” in 1987, “Friends of 4-H” in 1995, and received the Minnesota Farm Bureau “Honorary Life Membership” award in 2023.

He is survived by Jane, his wife of 71 years, five children: Julie (Rick Wagner) Gintner of Lonsdale, MN. Janet Swenson of Roseville, MN. Nancy (Rod) Dorn of Nevis, MN. Ruth (Mark) Lumley of Austin, MN. Paul (Cindy) Swenson of Nicollet, MN. 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Other family members include sisters Mable Handel of Wichita Falls,TX and Karen (John) Radway of Lincoln, NE. Sisters in-law Sandie Swenson of Forest Lake, MN and Evelyn Swenson of St. Peter, MN, Louise (David) Tweit of Gibbon, MN and Ellen (Jerry) Bauer of Clinton, WI.

He was preceded in death by parents Maurice and Alice Swenson, sister Shirley Olsen, brothers Owen Swenson, Douglas Swenson and infant brother Paul.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Norseland Lutheran Church or donor’s choice.

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