Janice Elizabeth Swenson

Janice Elizabeth Swenson, 75, of Cromwell died Monday, May 9, 2011 in her home with her loving family by her side. She was born Oct. 23, 1935 in Mankato to Clarence and Mildred Roberts. Janice graduated from Willmar High School in 1953 where she was active in choir and orchestra. She married Jon Swenson on March 24, 1954 in Willmar. They moved to Cromwell in 1959 where Jon took a teaching position. In 1968 they moved to the farm in Cromwell and in 1980 they began dairy farming. Janice enjoyed softball, square dancing, and bowling. She worked for several years at an ice cream parlor and also as a florist. She worked at the Cromwell Co-op Store for many years until retiring in 1996. Janice was a lifelong sports fan, enjoying the Vikings, Twins, Northstars, and the Cromwell Cardinals. She was involved in the Cromwell City Council and Fire Dept. Janice was an EMT and received the stork award for delivering a baby while serving as an EMT. She was a 4-H Leader, Cub Scout Leader, a member of a garden club, active in the church ladies aid and was a Sunday School teacher. She was known for her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. Janice was preceded in death by one sister, Joan Austin. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Jon; children Jon (Salima), Jerry (Sharon), Jill (Jimmy) Nichols, Joel (Nancy Purcell), Joni (Erich) Mach, and Janet (Mike) McNulty; sister Beverly Gustafson; brothers Clarence "Larry" (Del) Roberts and Duane (Dee) Roberts; 19 grandchildren, Leif (Jessica), Luke, Brianna, Carissa, Jessica, Bowie, Aaron, Cody, Zachary, Gunnar, Jordan, Rhiannon, Joanie, Logan, Conner, Grace Ann, Joshua, Daniel, and Christopher; and three great grandchildren, Alexandra, Lydia,and Christian. Memorial Services were held on Saturday, May 14, 2011 in Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell. Inurnment was in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com