Lee Swenson passed away peacefully on October 23, 2021 of natural causes. Allegra LeDoris Rath was born October 9, 1931 to Julius D. Rath and Bertha Schumacher Rath, on the family farm near Long Lake, South Dakota. Her father often recalled the evening as warm and mild with a beautiful full Harvest Moon. Allegra was the eldest of three girls and grew up working on the family farm and attending a country school through the 8th grade. Her family’s social activities were centered around the school and the German Lutheran Church. The local Legion Hall was home to music and dances, and several of Allegra’s uncles played in bands. She loved listening to them practice and perform and this marked the beginning of her lifelong love for music and dancing. During her high school years, it was necessary for Allegra to board with a family in Eureka, SD, which caused her great homesickness, but they were good years too. She played alto sax in the band and her talent for playing popular music on the piano was much in demand at social get-togethers with friends and classmates. Allegra graduated from Eureka High School in 1949.
Following high school, Allegra attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa for two years and then Ellendale State Teacher College in Ellendale, North Dakota, where she received her teaching certificate and met her future husband. She married Carroll Swenson on June 12, 1955 and they subsequently both took teaching jobs in Page, North Dakota. In August 1959, Lee (as she came to be known) and Carroll moved to Miles City, MT with their three children. Altogether they had five children, who kept Lee very busy for several years, and who were her pride and joy. Lee was a lifelong member of the First Lutheran Church, where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and served as Secretary for the Welcome Visits group. From 1971-79 she worked as a Title 1 teacher at Garfield, Jefferson, and Sacred Heart Schools. Lee worked at Holy Rosary Hospital and then as a self-employed housekeeper until 2001, when she retired. In her last year’s Lee lived at Holy Rosary Extended Care and she considered many of the wonderful and caring staff members like friends and family. She dearly loved to attend the sports and musical activities of her children and grandchildren and was very proud of their accomplishments.
Her hobbies included family history, baseball, and music. Lee loved all music, but she especially loved popular music, country music, and hymns. She was a member of the Miles City Community Chorus for several years.
Allegra was preceded in death by her parents Julius and Bertha Rath (Aberdeen, SD) and her granddaughter Shelby Swenson (Miles City).
She is survived by two sisters Shirley Gayton of Aberdeen, SD and Julienne Fiechtner of Kearny, NE; as well as her five children Colette Swenson Ragsdale (Dean) of Seattle, WA, Carey Swenson (Ellen) of Miles City, MT, Corey Swenson (Diana) of Broadus, MT, Carlo Swenson (Jo Ella) of Miles City, MT, and Charl Sanchez (Dan) of Cheyenne WY; she was “Grandma” to ten grandchildren: Carly, Elaine, John, Katie, Eric, Julia, Andrea, Shayla, Shawn, Taryn; and “Great-grandma” to nine great-grandchildren; She was aunt to four nieces and nephews Bill, Lona, Greg, and Pam, as well as cousin to many in the Rath and Schumacher families. She will be missed and fondly remembered by us all.
Remembrances in her name may be made to First Lutheran Church or Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center in Miles City.
A memorial gathering is planned for a date later this fall and will be posted on the Stevenson & Sons website www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Thursday November 11, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Memorial Service
1:30 PM
Friday November 12, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Thursday November 11, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Memorial Service
1:30 PM
Friday November 12, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Dolores H. Steiner says
So sorry to see that Allegra passed away. I so enjoyed my visits with her at Extended Care. Rest in peace and play the piano in Heaven
Karen Morris says
My condolences to the family. I have many memories of Mrs. Swenson over the years–from childhood (when Colette and I were practicing for spelling bees) to adulthood (when I passed out Jobie cards at Extended Care). She was always a lovely woman and I hope that you can find solace in your memories. Know that others will remember her, as well. You will remain in my prayers.
Andrea Carlson says
You loved to play your piano and I enjoyed reading the Bible to you and bringing you Holy Eucharist blessed by Pastor Rice. You will always be remembered Lee not just by family but by those of us lucky enough to be close to you.
Jack Fleming says
My condolences to the Swenson family
Denise Harvey says
What a sweet lady!
Take care!
Denise Oberlander Harvey
Wanda Bankey says
Sorry for your loss. I worked with Lee at the old hospital. Such a sweet lady.
Pam Moths Nisley says
I am saddened to see this, our prayers for comfort and peace for all of this dear womans loved ones!
We are here for all of you!!
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
Lee was a very sweet and talented lady. She made our Mom feel very comfortable while she was at Extended Care. My sincere condolences to all of Lee’s family.
Marilyn & Jim May says
Love and sympathy in the loss of a special woman.
I always enjoyed visiting with her in Extended Csre
And years way before that I babysat the kids!! That would have been about mid sixties. Time flies. Blessings to her family.
Marilyn May
Diane M Welbes says
So enjoyed working with her in school situations—thoughts and prayers
Curtis and Kate Terrett says
Sorry for your loss.
Bub and Carlene Gaskill says
Condolences to the Swenson family.
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
My prayers for the Swenson family during this time of accepting the loss of their mother. I remember Lee making a piano keyboard out of paper to teach Jamie to play the piano. Sweet lady.
Audrey Haumschild says
Hugs and prayers 🙏❤ for you all . RIP Lee you will be missed . You are now pain free.
Catherine says
Good memories of many visits in Residential Living and hearing her play the piano sometimes when I would be in her “neighborhood”, She liked to give me updates on her family and share the stories of the things she treasured. Blessings of peace and comfort to all of the family.
Ric and Sandy Rabe says
So sorry to hear of Lee’s passing. May God give you comfort with many great memories.
Jackie Armstrong says
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Remember the good times warmly. Hugs to all
Laurie Claypool says
To the Swenson families, our deepest sympathy! Your mother/grandmother was a very special lady who raised an amazing family! Her memories will continue in all of you! Thoughts and prayers to all of you, Duane, Laurie, Anna and Bryan Claypool
Jackie Stroh CNA says
I enjoyed taking care of your mother Lee very much at residential living she will be greatly missed prayers and hugs!
Dan and Lisa Lynch says
To the Swenson Families, So sorry for the loss of your mother/grandmother. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ray and Sheri Clauson says
Our thoughts and prayers to Lee’s family
Lisa Gaskill says
Sending prayers for comfort to all of the Swenson family
Jim and Barb Nelstead says
Thoughts and prayers out to the Swenson family. I remember your mom as a very nice lady growing up in the neighborhood and through activities at First Lutheran Church.
Mollie Phipps says
Lee was an amazing woman, she always had time for a chat and some kind words… I don’t remember her ever not smiling! May she rest in the arms of her Lord, whom she knew and loved. Blessings to her family.
Donna Sweeney says
To the 5 Cs. You have my most sincere sympathy over the loss of your mom. She and I were dear friends ever since 1959 when the family moved to Miles City. I met them at First Lutheran Church which at that time was on East Main Street, across from the funeral home. Lee and I became great friends then and kept that friendship until Oct 9, 2021. I will miss her so very much. I love the picture you have with her obituary.
Peace of the Lord be with you all.
Judy Zeitner Erb says
I was so sorry to hear of your moms passing. She was sincerely one of the kindest souls I have ever known. Hugs to you all.
Lloyd and Jan Sohl says
Our sympathy to the family of Lee. Such a fine and caring lady.
Marcy Parks says
I am so sorry! My heart goes out to all of you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Karen Hardy-Farrow says
I am o sorry to hear this, I use to care for her when I worked there and she was such a sweet lady. She will be greatly missed.
Regina Daigneault says
My dear friend Colette was my introduction to Lee and how pleased I am to know such a wonderful family and beautiful soul as Colette’s mother Lee. I am very sad and sorry to hear of her passing, I know that it will be difficult to mourn this loss but wonderful to celebrate her sweet soul and amazing legacies. She was always so kind to me and I know that she will be remembered as a kind and thoughtful woman. I am honored to know her and her beautiful extended families. My sincere condolences to all. In love and gratitude, Regina Daigneault
Cheryl Tonn says
To the Swenson families my sincere sympathy. She was always smiling when I saw her .
Cheryl Tonn says
To the Swenson families my sincere sympathy.
Anita Scheeler says
So sorry to hear of you loss of your mother! She was a very sweet lady and always had a smile to greet you with.
Prayers are with you.
Jim and Anita Scheeler
Jim and Sheryl Russell says
Corey,Carey,Carlo and family we are so sorry to hear about your mom, and grandma we are thinking of you and praying for you
Jim and Sheryl Russell