Paul Swenson

paul swenson

H. Paul Swenson, son of Olaf and Kate (Robinson) Swenson was born March 7, 1926 on the Henry Robinson farm near Oslo, MN. He attended grade school in Walshville town ship and high school in Oslo, MN. He was active in football, basketball, band, and was a member of the Oslo ski-jumping team while in high school. He played American-Legion baseball first in Minto, ND and was a member of Oslo's first legion team in the early 40's. He graduated on June 3rd, 1943 and he and a number of his classmates joined various branches of the armed services days after graduation. Paul spent three years in the US Navy being discharged on May 22, 1946.  He was a navy pharmacist mate in an amphibious unit in the States and on a destroyer in the South Pacific that was involved in the invasion of Luzon and the re-taking of Corregidor Island. He returned to the US to attend Officers Candidate School at both Princeton University and Bowling Green State University in Ohio. After discharge, he worked for his step-brothers (Mallinger Brothers) and farmed in the Oslo area. In1949 a polio attack limited his ability to farm. In January of 1951, he was employed as an agriculturist by American Crystal Sugar Company in the Drayton, ND area. Paul married Marion J. Nelson on June 17, 1951, and is survived by his wife as well as two sons Ralf (Chris), San Diego, California and Rodney (Janel) of Fargo, ND., and six grandchildren, Michael and Brian, Merced,  and Daniel, Andrew, Amy, and Emily, Fargo, ND. While living in Drayton, he was active in civic activities and was athletic officer for the Drayton American Legion team that won two state championships and in 1958 made it all the way to the National Tournament. In 1973, he transferred to Moorhead, MN where he was the agricultural manager for American Crystal Sugar Company until retirement in 1991. He was past president of the Fargo North Spartans booster club, the past president of the Moorhead country club, and chairman of the Fargo Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee as well as past president of the Agassiz Club. He was a member of the Moorhead Rotary Club, and the Fargo Sunrise Rotary. He was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Fargo since moving to Fargo.

Paul truly loved his family, his community and his job, probably stopping to have a cup of coffee with every sugar beet grower in the Red River Valley.  He followed and was involved in all of his children's and grandchildren's activities with great delight and sacrifice.  He had a passion for golf and played in various leagues throughout his life.  His gentle hardworking spirit was apparent to all he came in contact with, even in his later years when he struggled with symptoms from post-polio.

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Donnybrook ND
    My Sympathy to the families of Paul Swenson. My grandfather Peter was married to Paul’s mother Kate. I was born in 1950 – the second daughter to Earl and Julia Mallinger. Kate was a dear lady and remember her fondly, and also brought some of my family with to visit when she lived at Valley Memorial Home. Although I remember meeting Paul on a couple occations, it has been many years ago. May you find peace in the wonderful memories you have of your Dad & grandpa.

  2. Drayton ND
    Dear Mary and Family. I was very sorry to hear of Pauls passing. We had a lot of good encounters in life. He was always a good friend,and it saddens me to see him leave. God be with you in your berevement. As ever John

  3. Aneta ND
    As a widow, I can relate to your recent loss of Paul. How time flies by..Best advice I got was “Keep Busy” and it sure helps, tho think of him every day. My great grand daughter, was born 2 yrs after Freeman passed on, and one day when she was 4 yrs she said to her Mom, I remember Grandpa Freeman, he gave me candy, BEFORE I was a baby!! Sounds just like him, he was always giving candy to kids on his mail route while he was living..:)
    Love and prayer to you all Marion

  4. Flower Mound TXOur thoughts and prayers are with you Mary, as well as Ralf and Family and Rod and family. H.P was always helpful and good to me growing up in Drayton, plus he had patience, knowing the tomfoolery that Ralf and Drew would get into, it was good thing Rod that you and I were perfect or close to it anyway! All the best, Ward, Dawn, Dalton and Maddie Johnson

  5. Fargo ND
    I had known Paul for many years, first as colleagues on the Red River Valley Seniors Golf Tour and then members of Messiah Lutheran Church. I very much enjoyed his feisty personality and I considered him a friend. It was very sad to watch his deterorating health in recent years. My wife, Jan, and I send our sincere condolences to Mary and the family.

  6. minto nddear family , so sorry to hear of your loss, he will be missed greatly. i am a relative, my mother was kathryn ann farmer hewitt, a cousin to paul. her mother, carrie, was kates sister. i heard on the church broadcast that he was ill and someone from oslo had passed the news on to me. i will be with you in thought and prayer during this sad time. in sympathy, peggy hewitt kowalski

  7. fargo n.d.I knew Paul as a golfing buddy. We had the
    best of times playing golf at the Hawley country club.
    I will always remember our friendship and the good times we had.
    Paul was a true friend who I will cherish always.

  8. Mohall N.D
    .Mary, Ralph, Rod and family:

    My condolences on the passing of Paul. He was always pleasant to visit with back in the days when we spent time at the Swenson household in Drayton.Our prayers are with you.

    Kent and Nancy


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

Accessibility Tools
hide