Stephen Swenson

A Remembrance Gathering for Stephen Swenson, of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, will be held on Monday, August 22, 2022, at the Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. followed by a Prayer service at 4:00 p.m.  Pastor Paul Johnson will be officiating and burial will be at Fron Cemetery in Starbuck.

Stephen Ray Swenson was born on March 11,1951 in Morris Minnesota. He was the third child of Elmer and Genevieve Swenson. Steve grew up with siblings Gary and Vicki in Starbuck MN. His childhood was spent living across the highway from Lake Minnewaska. With the lake so close he enjoyed swimming at the beach, fishing, and water skiing. He often “hung out” with his father at the Farmers Union Coop in town and enjoyed talking with the area farmers. He loved the family dog, Butch, his buddy since he was a toddler.

During the teen years he learned small engine repair and worked at the Ford dealership detailing cars. That began his love of cars and trucks, especially the Ford Mustang. After graduating from Starbuck High School in 1969, he attended Moorhead State College graduating with a BA degree in Business Administration in 1973. Using his business degree, he worked for the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce, Hopkins MN, the Minnesota Retail Merchant Association, St. Paul MN, and Cenex Petroleum/CHS Refined Fuels, Inver Grove Heights MN.

Steve met Lynn Hesby while at Moorhead State College and they were married on January 26, 1974 at the United Methodist Church in Crookston MN. They lived for 2 years in Minnetonka MN. The family years began in December of 1974 with the birth of their son Aric. After a move to Brooklyn Park MN, three more sons: Nicholas, Joel, and Andrew, joined the family. Their calendar was now full with school activities, sports (cross country, baseball, and basketball), church, and Boy Scouts. Family vacation time was spent visiting grandparents in Starbuck and Crookston and camping in the state parks of Minnesota and in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Steve began a successful career at Cenex Petroleum/CHS Refined Fuels in Inver Grove Heights MN in 1980. He had many friends within the petroleum industry. Steve was well known for telling Ole and Lena jokes. Maybe that’s how he got the nickname “Swen”. He enjoyed many outings with them, including salmon fishing near the Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada, wild pig hunting in Texas, and pheasant hunting in Kansas. He retired from his position as Manager of Supply and Logistics, Refined Fuels on June 1, 2012.

During his retirement he enjoyed watching the “cutest grandchildren ever” grow up, traveling, camping, working part time at North Country Ford as a driver, and volunteering at Habitat for Humanity. Steve enjoyed meeting new people and could start a conversation with almost anyone. One of his favorite pastimes was coffee and doughnuts with friends he met at a coffee shop.

Stephen died peacefully on Saturday, August 13,2022, at the J.A. Wedum Hospice in Brooklyn Park; he was 71 years old.

He is survived by his wife, Lynn; and sons: Aric and Nicholas, both of Brooklyn Park MN, Joel (Karen Evans) of Golden Valley MN, and Andrew (Holly Creed) of Grosse Pointe Woods MI; and 3 grandchildren: Ella, Julia, and Evan; his brother Gary and sister Vicki Aaberg (Roger) all of Starbuck MN.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Genevieve.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to be donated to local charities in Steve's name.

Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck is in care of arrangements for Stephen.