JENNIFER MARIE "JENN SWANSON

Jennifer M. “Jenn” Kraft-Swanson of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Wednesday morning, February 27, 2013 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND. She was 37 years old. Funeral Services for Jenn will be held on Monday, March 4, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Jeff Nicla will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. with a Time of Remembrance at 5:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. It was Jenn’s request that memorials be directed to the American Cancer Association for use in cancer research. Jennifer Marie, daughter of Tim and Kathy (Birkeland) Kraft was born on November 10, 1975 at Devils Lake, ND. She grew up in Lakota and attended Lakota Public School through her sophomore year. The family moved to Devils Lake and Jenn graduated with the class of “94” from Devils Lake High School. Jennifer was united in marriage to Jason Swanson on October 9th, 1999 at Devils Lake. They established their home in Devils Lake where they lived, worked and raised their family. Jenn worked at various jobs in the Devils Lake area until 2002 when she became the owner and operator of Jenn’s DayCare which she operated out of her home until just a few months before her death. At times, she had 18 children in her Day Care. Jenn loved socializing with family and friends and scrapbooking was a great way to “keep in touch and in the know”. She never let her gender get in the way of getting things done. She built decks, drove the grain and mail trucks, worked hard at her grandparents farm, would start any building or remodeling project and get help only if necessary. Nothing could stop Jenn. That was how she so courageously faced her diagnosis of cancer on July 15, 2011. She fought the battle with faith, hope and love. All those were obvious characteristics of Jenn who loved her family and dear friends with all her heart. She was a friend to everyone she met. That was our Jenn-our leader of “Team Swanson”, our beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and dear friend who will be in our hearts forever. Jenn is survived by her family. Her husband, Jason; sons Brandon Swanson, Redwing, MN and Presten Swanson, daughters, Makaila Swanson, Attesyn Lalaca Swanson and Sylvia Guy all at home in Devils Lake; grandson, Benjamin Swanson; parents, Tim and Kathy Kraft; grandparents, Leonard and Marie Birkeland and Rita Kraft all of Devils Lake; sisters and their families, Jill (Troy Vassen) Haugen, Jarret and Devon of Crosby, ND and Sara (Adam) Bachmeier, Lane and Brooke of Devils Lake; father-in-law Gene and Lori Swanson; mother-in-law Janet and Dennis Hanson; brother-in-law Jeremy Swanson; many great aunts, great uncles, aunts, uncles and cousins and many very special friends. Jenn was preceded in death by her son Coltan and grandfather Alfred Kraft. Casket Bearers for Jenn will be Dan Kraft, Scott Kraft, Allan Kraft, Sue Alvestad, Kevin Birkeland, Frans Du Plessis and Jeremy Swanson. Honorary Bearers are all Jenn’s Daycare “Kids” past and present. Music will be provided by Ann Kraft, vocalist and Lynda Pearson, organist.