Peder Thorsten Richard Swenson

Thorsten Swenson, 92, of Devils Lake formerly of Calvin, ND died on Thursday, November 30, 2006 at Lake Country Manor, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Thorsten will be held on Monday, December 4, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Rafe Allison will officiate and burial will be in the Corinthian Cemetery at Calvin, ND. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday, December 3, 2006 from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m with the family present from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Thorsten will be his grandchildren. Music will be provided by Terry Henriksen, soloist and Brenda Swenseth, organist Peder Thorsten Richard Swenson was born February 7, 1914 in Lansing Township, Towner County to Charles and Amanda (Johanson) Swenson. As a young boy, Thorsten moved with his family to the farm one mile west of Calvin, ND so that the older children could be closer to school. He attended school through eighth grade at Calvin, then farmed for his oldest brother, Archie, and later for his brother, Herman, both in the Calvin area. In 1933, he moved to Mylo, ND to live and work with his brother, Hank. In 1936 he moved to Detroit Lakes, MN to work for a local farmer but returned to Calvin later that same year to farm with his father. This was during the Great Depression, and Thorsten was always proud of the fact that he was able to make the farm profitable through those lean years. In 1945, Charles retired from farming and Thorsten took over operation of the farm. On March 25, 1950, he married Margaret Rosenberger in Devils Lake, ND. They made their home on the farm at Calvin, where they raised their three children, Randall, Debra and Cynthia. Margaret passed away on June 2, 1972. Thorsten continued to farm until his retirement in 1977. On October 10, 1974, he married Marion Stensgaard. They lived on the farm for the next few years, wintering in Devils Lake and for one year in Arizona. Upon retirement, they built a house in Devils Lake. Thorsten’s lifelong enjoyment of horses developed as a young man working with them on the farm, led to his owning several during his years in Devils Lake. It was always a good day for Thorsten when he could show visitors one of his beloved horses. Thorsten was known in the community for maintaining his farming friendships. Most mornings he could be found at the White House Café having coffee with his friends. Throughout the years in Calvin, Thorsten was active there as well, serving on several boards, including the Farmers Union Elevator board. After moving into Devils Lake, he served on the Community Credit Union board. Thorsten was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Devils Lake. In March of 2005, Thorsten took residence in Lake Country Manor Assisted Living. Thorsten will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Marion; children, Randy (Jeani), Cook, MN; Deb (Bill) Cawley, Inkster, ND; Cindy (Mike) Milkey, Minot, ND. Stepchildren: Leslie Stensgaard, Denver, CO; Dwight (Kathy) Stensgaard, Rapid City, SD. Grandchildren: John (Sara) Cawley, Kari Cawley, Lori Cawley, Erin Cawley, Emily Swenson, Ryan Swenson, Peder Swenson. Stepgrandchildren: Monica (Kent) Ketterling; Erica (John) Thompson; Mari Stensgaard, Tate Stensgaard. Brothers: Carl (Edna) Swenson, Seattle, WA; Oscar (Ulla) Swenson, Chandler, AZ. Several nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret; infant son, Ronald; parents, Charles and Amanda Swenson; sister, Martha; brothers, Archie, Herman, Gus, and Curtis.