Bonnie Mae Swenson

Bonnie Swenson, age 85, passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the ValleyCare and Rehab Center in Barnesville, MN.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Barnesville, with Rev. Ali Haugerud officiating. Burial will follow in Rosemound Cemetery, Barnesville.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral service on Wednesday.

Bonnie M Johnson was born on April 1, 1939, to Boyd and Dorothy (Voltz) Johnson in Hillsboro, ND. They lived in North Dakota until Bonnie was seven years old at which they moved to Twin Valley, MN aside from three years spent in Gary, MN. In the 8th grade she started working at the Club Café and stayed with her grandparents in Twin Valley.

Bonnie attended school in Twin Valley, graduating in 1957. Following graduation, she worked for a year at Meyer’s Pharmacy before enrolling at Moorhead State Teachers College. She was fortunate enough to be able to work some weekends and summers at Meyer’s Pharmacy.

Bonnie graduated with a B.S. in biology and math. She taught at Rushford, MN, Hitterdal, MN, and Barnesville. She married Gorden “Lefty” Swenson on November 5, 1966, at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Following the birth of her four children, she was able to be a stay-at-home mom, eventually returning to employment in education as a substitute teacher, GED teacher, and finally a paraprofessional from 1989 to 2003.

Bonnie has remained a faithful member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, especially in education as a Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent and active in the women’s organizations. Bonnie was the recipient of the Mary Magdalene award from the NW synod in 2023.  She has also been a longtime member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Barnesville.  

She is survived by her children: Phillip (Brooke Myogeto), of Barnesville, Paul, of Enola, PA; Daniel (Sue) of Alexandria, MN; and Leah of Barnesville; grandchildren: Cody and Connor Barth, Cole, Carter, and Kendall Swenson; siblings: Don (Kay) Johnson, of Flom, MN, Butch (Carol) Johnson of Flom, MN, Sandy Seykora of Mahnomen, MN, and Betty (Dale) Thompson of Edina, MN; brothers in law, Gerald Lien of Flom, Burton Swenson of Barnesville, MN; sisters in law, Mary Johnson, Hawley, MN Joan Swenson of Fargo, ND, and Patty Swenson of Barnesville; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Lefty in 2017; her parents, Boyd and Dorothy Johnson; sister, Donna Lien, brother, Bill Johnson; brothers in law, Lyle Seykora,Caroll Swenson, Laverne Swenson, sisters in law Carol Swenson, niece Brenda Seykora and nephew Jeffry Seykora.