Carroll Arlynn Swenson, age 83, passed away on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City, Montana. After a courageous battle with cancer, he died peacefully in his sleep.
Carroll was born on June 2nd, 1931 on a farm near Northwood, North Dakota, the son of Corliss and Gertrude “Gertie” Swenson. He and his sister Eula Mae grew up on the family farm, and Carroll learned to work hard with his father, doing chores and working in the fields. He was especially good at handling horses and learned to drive the truck when he was six years old. He attended country schools and graduated from high school in Hatton, ND on his birthday in 1949, riding Penny, his pinto pony to and from each day.
The summer following graduation Carroll contracted polio and fought hard to survive and regain his abilities to walk. He attended the teacher college in Ellendale, ND, graduating in 1955 with majors in Education and Industrial Arts, and minors in Math and History. At Ellendale College is where he met Allegra Rath. They were married in June of 1955 and both accepted teaching positions in Paige, ND. Together they felt blessed to have five healthy children.
In 1959 Carroll took a teaching job in Miles City and moved his small family to Montana. Over the years, with the help of friends, he built two homes in Miles City to accommodate his growing family, residing in the second home until the time of his passing. Carroll was a wonderful father, very patient and loving. He loved hunting and fishing. His warm smile never shined brighter than when he was on an outing with his boys and grandchildren. He was so proud and supportive of all his children and grandchildren. As a grandfather nothing brightened his day so much as a visit from one of his ten grandchildren. He would attend their sporting and performing activities, even when the effort required to be there was so very difficult.
He taught Math and Industrial Arts, or Shop at Washington Junior High for 33 years, retiring in 1988. His students loved him for his patience, guidance, and understanding. As NEA President, he fought to improve working conditions for teachers, demonstrating, a work ethic and level of trust and diplomacy that was his trademark throughout his life.
In 1979, his first marriage ended. In 1987, he married Twila Schwindt Posey, and they were happily married for 25 years. Their love and companion ship was an inspiration to many, and his heart was big enough to be a loving and involved step-father for Twila’s children and grand children.
A man of deep and abiding Christian faith, Carroll is survived by his first wife Allegra “Lee” Swenson of Miles City, his second wife Twila, of Albuquerque, NM, five children, Colette Swenson and her husband Dean Ragsdale of Seattle, Wa, and their two children, Carly and Elaine. Carey and his wife Ellen of Miles city, and their two children John, and Katie (JR Lund). Corey and his wife Diana of Broadus, and their three children, Eric, Julia, and Andrea. Carlo and his wife Jo of Miles City., and their two children, Shayla, and Shawn. Charl and her husband Danny Sanchez of Cheyenne, Wy, and their two daughters, Taryn. and Melissa. He also is survived by three great grandsons, Bodie Lund, Nash Lund, and Tytan Nemec.
He was preceded in death by both parents, his sister Eula Mae, and an infant sister Ione.
Visitation will begin on Monday, September 1, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Church. Interment will be held on Friday, September 5, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in the Swenson Family Cemetery in Hatton, ND. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, donations may be made to Holy Rosary Hospice, Grace Bible Church, or Meals on Wheels.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday September 1, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Miles City, MT
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday September 1, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Miles City, MT
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday September 1, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Miles City, MT
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday September 1, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Miles City, MT
tina says
i am so sorry for the families loss. i enjoyed carroll so much. he was such a joy to talk with everyday that he was here with us in the hospital. may he rest in peace. prayers to the famly.
Mary and Tim Hurr says
We are so sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time!
Mary & Tim Hurr
Neena and Tim Steadman says
We are sorry for your loss. Keeping the family close in our thoughts and prayers.
Tanna Peterson Aye says
Carey and Family,
So sorry to hear about your dad. I will keep you and Ellen in my prayers.
Sherry Oster says
Dear Family Members;
I am so sorry for your loss. Carroll was a “Wonderful” person, always greeting people with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. He will be greatly missed, and I know that God just received another Angel. Thinking of and praying for you all. Love, Sherry
Oscar Swenson says
Thoughts and prayers are with you. Lots of good memories. Always a smile……especially driving his old Bronco! Wishing you strength in days ahead.
Cindy & Oscar
JIM & KAREN ELLIOT says
CAREY AND FAMILY, OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS OUR WITH YOU!!
Mark Richardson &b Vicki Wilson says
Swenson Family,
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Denise Harvey says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Carroll was a great neighbor and teacher.
He will be missed!
Carol Rath Raschkow says
To Carroll’s family,,
Carroll was a dear friend,,and I will miss him…God’s blessing on his family who he loved dearly,,
Diane (Rath) Hewett says
To all of Carroll’s family. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers as you mourn the loss of a dear man.
Cindy, Kelly and Kelcy Conley says
We are so sorry to hear of Carroll’s passing. Prayers to the family.
Gene Fougner says
Carroll…as a kid I always wondered how he got that name. All my life when I think of family…I see him with his arms around his kids sitting in the back of the middle section of the church pews. at First Lutheran Church. I think all the kids were with him and sometime Lee, his wife. But I think Colette was always somewhere else with me and Kay either singing in choir or doing something else to assist with services. Anyway, Carroll was regular and there with his kids. The other place I always remember him was taking a load of kids from our church out to cut a Christmas tree at Hans Jenny’s home out in the wilderness. Carroll meant family activities to me. I try to be like him in that way with my only son because I saw Carroll and others being a father…my father included.
Dave Schott says
I have great memories of taking Mr. Swenson’s woodshop and crafts classes when I was in middle school. He was a terrific teacher and I am sad to hear he is gone. Rest in peace, Mr. Swenson.
Janet (Swenson ) Thorstenson says
To all of Carroll’s family:
Know that others care and share in your sorrow. You are in our prayers.
Henry & Janet
Tony and Annette Hafla says
Swenson Family,
We are forever grateful for all Carroll did for our Aunt and Grandma. His capacity for compassion and caring saw no limits. Truly a great man. Our prayers are with you.
Kay Carlson says
As Gene Fougner said, my memories of Carroll were through First Lutheran. He was warm and welcoming. A very loving, giving man who will be missed. My prayers to his family.
Tom & Kathy says
Carey and Family,
Thinking of you sending hugs and prayers.
Doug and Diane Ellingson says
Our condolences on your loss of Carroll. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your whole family. Sincerely, Doug and Diane Ellingson.
Cherie says
So sorry to hear that your dad passed. Prayers
And hugs to all of you.
Gloria and DJ Milroy says
Our most heartfelt sympathies to all of Carroll’s loved ones. May your many memories of times spent together be of a comfort to you and may the Lord walk with each of you. Holding you all in our thoughts and prayers…DJ and Gloria Rath Milroy.
Tom & Carla Herzog says
Swensons,
I praise God for Carroll’s faith and the lineage he passes on.
I hope you are all strengthened by Christ’s love and may your memories cause smiles and contentment in a life well lived. You’re in our prayers.
Tom & Carla Herzog Family
Dale & Cindy Berg says
Carlo, Carey & families,
So sorry to hear about your dad. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Maureen Larson says
So sorry to hear of the loss of your father. May your memories comfort you during this difficult time and may God bless each and every one of you.
Marge (Hegre) Endrud says
Etta Jane Flohaug, Gordon and Barbara Hegre and I add our condolences to all of Carroll’s family. May The Lord comfort you in you loss. You remain in our prayers.
Peace to you, Marge Endrud
Penny (Sumer) Schmidt says
Colette, I am sorry to read about the passing of your father. I never made the connection between you and the nice man at the Middle School. I did not have him as a teacher, but I remember seeing him there and he always looked happy. I hope your family finds comfort in the memories they now hold in their hearts and that you each find peace.
Penny Schmidt
Bob Phalen says
Was sorry to hear about Mr. Swenson, he was my teacher and I really liked him. He and Mr Dickson hunted at our home ranch. I thought he was the best person and teacher that you could have, rest in peace and God Bless him and his family!
Wayde Carlson says
Mr. Swenson-Is what I knew him as, back when he was my SHOP teacher.
I can not remember a time when he was ever not nice.
There WERE other teachers I could not stand.
He was a GOOD guy and a GOOD teacher.
I haven’t seen him for 40-some years, yet I still remember him like it was yesterday.
Thank You Mr. Swenson!
Donna Sweeney says
To the 5 Cs: Colette, Carey, Corey, Carlo and Charl. My heart goes out to you on the loss of your father. As stated in the obituary, it was his warm smile that brought people to love and admire him. You have my deepest sympathy.
Don and Tami (Clauson) Rogers says
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lyle Posey says
I will always be grateful for the blessing he was to my mother and for all he did for her. His dignified and reserved temperament was most impressive. Always the wisest yet he was unassuming and always respectful of others. So thoughtful and careful in speech that only with great coaxing would he talk about his interests and when he did, most often, it was a glowing story about his kids, who are truly exemplary and in whom he could not have been more pleased.
karson kluver says
Carlo, and Carey, From what I know of the two of you, Your Dad must have been a special Man. God bless and keep you all. Karson and Marie Kluver
Mark Helland family says
We are so sorry to hear of your family’s loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Our condolences to you all.
Deanna Sandlie says
To all of Carroll’s family.
I am Carroll’s cousin on the Swenson side. We have wonderful memories of Carroll. May your memories of this precious man be of comfort to all of you at this time. Our prayers go with youl
Deanna (Ward) and Ron Sandlie
Marge Rahfeldt & Sandy Olson, nieces of Mabel Johnson says
Our sympathies to the family of Carroll Swenson. Our Aunt Mabel Johnson told us that he had passed away. We know how difficult it is to lose a loved one, having just lost our brother Keith. We knew Eula Mae very well from years of visiting her and Mabel. Although we did not have the opportunity to get to know Carroll, we’re sure that he was a very special person. We are grateful for the kindness, concern, and generosity he showed to Mabel in these later years.
Marge Rahfeldt and Sandy Olson, nieces of Mabel Johnson
Sandy and Ric Rabe says
Carey, Ellen and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We pray the good memories will ease the pain and that the knowledge he will alway be in your hearts will give you comfort.
Sandy and Ric
Marlys and Ron Burkett says
Our condolences go out to Carroll’s family. He was married to my sister, Twila Swenson Posey for 24 years. My Mother Erna traveled with them on many occasions. They visited us in San Ant TX , White Sands Missle Range, and Ruidoso, NM. We would visit them at least once a year in MT. My brother Sam and Carroll were close friends and had spoken to each other via the phone up until the end. Carroll was always pleasant and had a big smile.
My sister, Twila, will deeply miss him. My brother Sam passed away Aug 19th and Mother passed in May. Our Sympathy goes out to Carroll’s family and to all those who loved him. We can be comforted knowing that he is now with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What a reunion he will have with all those who have passed on before!
Con and A,ice Lass says
To our nephew Corey and niece Diana and Eric, Julia and Andrea And to All the Sewnsen faintly we send our heartfelt sympathy to all of you in the loss of your dear Father.
Although we did not know him personally he sounded like an amazizing gentleman who accomplished much in his life time. We want you to know our thoughts and prayers are with you in your loss at this sad time.
May God Bless you and be ever so close to each and every one of you.
Love
Uncle Con and Aunt Alice
Carlo Swenson says
Thank you all so much for the kind words and memories. Dad would be so happy to be assured of the way people remembered him. Your thoughtfulness has definitely helped my family and I to celebrate his life even in a time of sorrow. We appreciate you all.
Charl (Swenson) Sanchez says
I’m Carroll’s youngest daughter and even facing death Dad was an amazing example. He thought of others, telling my husband Danny how much he appreciated who he was for me. He looked me in the eye and said, “I’ll see you again.” And in our very last visit he reminded me to, “Enjoy your life!” Dad always made enjoying life a conscious choice. He fought many health issues to give us 83 years. I remember telling him, “Thanks for a wonderful life Dad.”