Sally E. Swenson

Sally Edith Swenson (Campbell) age 79 of Shelly, MN passed away with loving family and friends by her side on Friday, August 30, 2019 at Sanford Broadway Medical Center in Fargo, ND. Sally was born May 21, 1940 in Rush City, Minnesota; the daughter of George and Winona Campbell. Sally spent her youth growing up helping her family on the farm. She attended high school in Rush City and shortly thereafter met Peter Swenson. They were joined in marriage at First Lutheran Church in Rush City on June 14, 1958. Sally and Pete moved around the country and lived off the land, eventually settling in Shelly. Out of their union, they were blessed with five children, Keith, Douglas, Kathleen, Roger, and Craig. Sally was an extremely proud and loving mom and the grandmother of 21 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Sally grew up a farm girl making the most of whatever life had to offer. She enjoyed dancing, telling stories, baking, canning, and hosting family events. You would never find Sally looking anything other than spectacular and never sitting still. Sally could work her magic on any house no matter how little she had and at one time she was able to turn a chicken coop into a lovely home. Sally was the family story teller and talked about how one day she would write “the book.” She was the best about keeping in touch and had a gift for writing letters and making everyone she came in contact with feel special. Sally met Pete through her cousin Donnie and Pete’s sister Sissy when they went to visit Sally in Rush City and it was love at first sight. Pete was the dance partner that Sally had been waiting for. Pete was extremely proud to bring Sally home to meet his family and described her as a “movie star.” Sally had a bright spirit that lit up any room. Sally was a wonderful cook and even opened up her own restaurant, the Red Rooster. Sally was always challenging herself and without experience managed the Crystal Hotel in Crystal, ND. She later spent many years serving others as caregiver at the State Developmental Center in Grafton, ND where she was able to obtain her GED. When called upon, she moved near her son and daughter-in-law to help care for her grandsons. Out of all of the positions she held in her life, this was by far her most joyous one of all. Sally would light up at the opportunity to pass on her knowledge and stories to her children and grandchildren. She was described as the most “active and involved grandma ever!” She continued to stay central in her grandchildren’s lives until her last days. Sally was full of spirit and stories and was always dressed in the latest fashion. She will be greatly missed by all. Sally is survived by her sons, Roger Swenson (Leslie) of Moorhead, MN and Craig Swenson of Shelly, MN, her daughter Kathy (Alan) Morkassel of Warren, MN; brothers, Gordon Campbell (Leann) of Rush City, MN and Chuck Campbell of Hamilton, IN; sisters Verona McCann of Duluth, MN, Sandy Nelson of Hamilton, IN, and Mary Nelson of New Hope, MN; sisters-in-law, Marge Swenson of Bagley, MN, Olga Wennesson of Carlton, MN, Pearl (Lester) Beck of Bagley, MN, Linda (Warren) Bogert of Grafton, ND, Joyce (Mike) Meyers of Bagley, MN; Brother-in-law, Raymond Umphrey of Inkster, ND. Sally was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Pete; her sons Keith and Douglas Swenson; granddaughter, Taryn Swenson; grandson, Eugene Mecham; parents George and Winona; brothers, David and George Campbell; sisters, Jerry Christy and Gloria Peterson; daughters-in-law, Terri Swenson and Wendy Oberg; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Swenson, Sissy Campbell, and Florence Umphrey; brothers-in-law, Duane Swenson, John Swenson, Don Campbell, Carl Swenson, Wayne Wennesson. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at Zion Lutheran Church in Bagley, MN with Rev. Randy McGuire officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery in Shelly, MN at a later date. Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com