Douglas Swenson

Douglas Duane Swenson of Lake Park, MN, age 93, passed away on Friday, January 19, 2024, in his home.

He was born to Clarence and Mabel Swenson on May 1, 1930, and resided at rural Lake Park his entire life. In 1945, he moved to the farm near Middle Cormorant Lake with his parents and lived there for 78 years.  He attended Becker County District #2 through 8^th grade.   Doug always had a memory to share, one of which is that he later got hired to tear down that old schoolhouse.

Douglas married Norma Case in Walker, MN on Valentines Day in 1953.  They had four children, Larry, Jeffrey, Dawn, and Douglas. Over the years, the Swenson farm raised an assortment of dairy and beef cattle, Belgian draft horses, riding horses, pigs, chickens, ducks, cats, dogs, rabbits, small grains, alfalfa, and corn.   Their door was always open for coffee with friends.  Douglas will always be known for his hard work ethic.  He passed this on to his children and grandchildren.  Many stories can be told about how their unsuspecting friends were conned into working around the farm.  

He was an entrepreneur.  He could figure out or engineer anything he worked on.  In the 1960’s he started a garbage route around the lakes.   He moved houses and worked on lake cabins to keep them out of the rising shorelines.  

Douglas belonged to Houglum Lutheran church, the Shoreham Chapel, the Becker County DFL and Farmers Union, and volunteered at the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion (Rollag).   He hosted Horse Field Days on the farm and led many wagon trains.

His grandchildren were his pride and joy.  

Doug enjoyed visiting with people and loved playing card games, especially Hand and Foot.  He took great pleasure in driving tractor, welding horseshoe art, and collecting old horse equipment.  

Douglas and Norma put on hundreds of miles exploring Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.  He was very proud of his Swedish heritage and toured Sweden several times.

He is survived by his wife Norma of 70 years, his children, Larry Swenson, Detroit Lakes, Jeffrey (Kay) Swenson, Fargo, ND, Dawn (Veril) Larson, West Fargo, ND, and Douglas Swenson, Alexandria, MN.   Grandchildren Brooke (Joe) Nelson, St. Louis Park, MN, Jared (Kate) Swenson, Casper, WY, Christopher (Alyson) Larson, Detroit Lakes, MN, Craig (Tracey) Larson, Minneapolis, MN, Stacy (Dan) Draeger, Moorhead, MN, and Casey (Alecs) Larson, Fargo, ND.  Great grandchildren Clara, Turner, and Hattie Swenson, Olin and Liv Larson, and Elsie Larson.  Sister Dolores Nelson.  In-laws Beverly Botham, Carol Smith, Ed and Penny Case, Alice Geving, Mike Case, Dick and Cheryl Case, Sharon Jesperson, Sandra and Charlie Rich, Linda and Lee Edwards, and special friend of the family Ethar Al Ghazzawi.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Lorraine Fuglie, brothers and sisters in law- Harry Fuglie, Nels Nelson, David Case, Ken and Phyllis Walton, Dennis Smith, Peggy Case, Gordon and Nancy Olson, Pete Geving, Sandra Case, Leonard Jesperson. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 on Saturday, January 27^th at David Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes with visitation 1 hour prior to the service.