Josie Swenson

Martha "Josie" Josephine Swenson died Friday, September 30, 2016 peacefully surrounded by her family at the Mayo Clinic Health System – Cannon Falls after a short illness. Josie was born on November 9, 1921 in Columbus, N.D. to Peter & Anna (Thorkildson) Sorum. She was the youngest of six girls. Their mother passed away when Josie was three weeks old and their father passed away when she was five years old. The orphaned sisters were split up in twos to be raised by aunts and uncles. Josie graduated from Columbus High School and immediately joined her sisters in Minnesota. Once in Minnesota she worked as a hired girl until she met Forrest Swenson. They were married in 1942. As a couple they farmed together, first renting and then bought their farm in 1950 in rural Cannon Falls. In 1987 they retired and moved to Cannon Falls. They were blessed with five children; Kathy (Wally) Jacobson, Rick (Mary) Swenson, Jean (Armond) Kowalkoski, Bob (Kristi) Swenson, and Debra Swenson. Their grandchildren are Terry (Laurie) Jacobson, Tammy (Todd) Hanson, Todd Jacobson, Trent (Joannie) Jacobson, Angi Quam, Chris Swenson, Joey Kowalkoski, Josh kowalkoski, Jon (Valeria) Asher Kowalkoski, Jeff (Kate) Kowalkoski, Justin Kowalkoski, Alex Kowalkoski, Peter (Joanna) Swenson, and 14 great grandchildren. Josie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Forrest in 1989, her son, Bob, an infant daughter, Debra, and grandson Josh Kowalkoski. Josie was the last survivor of "The Sorum Girls" (Inger, Agnes, Margaret, Thordis, Clara) and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. She will be greatly missed by family and friends. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 5-8 p.m. at Lundberg Funeral Home, Cannon Falls. Funeral service will be on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 2:00 p.m., with visitation from 1-2 p.m., at Urland Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Terry Jacobson, Todd Jacobson, Trent Jacobson, Chris Swenson, Jeff Kowalkoski, Justin Kowalkoski, Joey Kowalkoski, and Peter Swenson. Memorials to the donor's choice are preferred in lieu of flowers.

Funeral Home: Lundberg Funeral Home 5839 Hwy 19 Blvd Cannon Falls, MN US 55009

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Previous Events

Visitation
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Service
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Graveside Service
Wednesday, October 5, 2016

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