Sharon D. Swenson
Sharon D. Swenson, 82, Buffalo Center, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021 at Timely Mission Nursing Home, Buffalo Center.Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 23, at Bethany Lutheran Church, Thompson, with Pastor Rod Hopp officiating.Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 22, at Bethany Lutheran Church from 6-8 p.m. and will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Thompson. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Sharon Diane (Olson) Swenson was born Nov. 15, 1938 in rural Story County, to parents, Udell and Margaret (Christopher) Olson. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith, and graduated from Stanhope High School. She went on to attend Waldorf College, Forest City, where she met a handsome young man named Alan Swenson. The two were united in marriage June 28, 1958 in Stanhope.
The couple made their home in rural Thompson, and were blessed with two daughters—Kimberly and Tammy.
Sharon was a homemaker during her daughters’ early years, and began working outside the home when they were a bit older. She was an administrative assistant for the Soil Conservation Service, Thompson.
Sharon enjoyed the simple things in life. Together, she and her husband enjoyed yearly trips to places such as Wyoming, Colorado, and the Black Hills in South Dakota. They were fortunate enough to take their children and families to Mount Rushmore in celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary.
Another important part of Sharon’s life were holiday gatherings; Christmas Eve always being a favorite, where she would showcase her Norwegian traditions. Sharon would show off her baking and cooking skills by filling the table with kumla, toffee, spritz cookies, mashed potato balls, and her famous oyster stew. For Sharon, it wasn’t the trips to the Black Hills, the oyster stew, or the wonderful goodies she baked that made her happy—it was the people that surrounded her during those holiday gatherings or family trips that made those moments special.
Those left to carry on her legacy include her two daughters: Kimberly (Harlen) McGuire, Stanley, N.C.; and Tammy (Tim) Rieffer, Thompson; grandchildren: Christopher McGuire, Asheville, N.C.; Curtis McGuire, Stanley, N.C.; Tyler Koeneke, Garner; and Dallas (Marissa) Koeneke, Cabot, Ark.; great-grandchildren: Annabelle, Ashley, Emmett, Emma, Brody, Olivia, Jude, Eli, and Micah; her brother, Mark (Bonnie) Elgin, Ill.; as well as many extended relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by both parents, Udell and Margaret Olson; husband, Alan Swenson in 2020; and a brother, Wayne Olson.
