Winifred Swenson

Winifred T. Swenson, age 93 of Waseca died on the evening of Friday, January 12, 2024, at Foxdale in Waseca.

Born on July 8, 1930, in Waseca, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Oliver and Mary (Speck) Stendel.  She attended school in Owatonna.  Winnie married Clayton Halverson on August 31, 1948, and together shared 24 years of marriage before Clayton passed away on July 12, 1973. On December 20, 1975, Winnie was united in marriage to Marvin Swenson in Otisco and they shared 39 years of marriage before Marvin passed away on January 12, 2015. 

Winnie began her working career at Federated Insurance and Jostens in Owatonna before owning and operating the Halverson Market and later the Otisco Store and Locker alongside her husband, Clayton. After they sold the store in Otisco, Winnie began a 22-year career with Brown Printing.  She enjoyed sewing, gardening, baking and upholstery.  She was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Otisco, the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

She is survived by three children, Thomas (Twyla) Halverson of Fergus Falls, Mary Jo (Dwaine) Abbe of Rio Verde, AZ, and Nancy Halverson (Glenn Sigmon) of Burnsville; three grandchildren, Kim (Tony) Kilgore of Joplin, MO, Chris (Robin) Abbe of Fernandina Beach, FL, and Wendy Halverson of Owatonna; five great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.   She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; and brother, Rodney Stendel and his wife, Janice.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, January 16, 2023, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Meriden with Pastor Scott Williams officiating.  Burial followed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Meriden.  Visitation was held one hour before services at the church on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Croix Hospice or St. Peter Lutheran Church in Otisco. Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca is handling the arrangements.  dsofuneral.com