Dorothy D. Swanson

Dorothy D. (Hiatt) Swanson passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 11, 2018 at Eventide Senior Living, Moorhead, MN.

Dorothy was born on January 14, 1928, in Bottineau, ND, to John and Margaret (Randall) Hiatt.  The family lived on a farm northwest of Dunseith, ND that bordered Canada.  She was one of nine children.  Dorothy graduated from Dunseith High School in June of 1946 and from Minot State College a year later.  She was married to Earl E. Swanson of Bowman, ND, on September 15, 1947.  She and Earl were married for 47 adventurous years until Earl’s death on September 8, 1994.  The Swanson family lived in and was a part of the Dilworth community from 1954 to 2000.

Dorothy worked as a nurse’s aide at St. Ansgar Hospital for 2 years, Dilworth Lutheran Church as a secretary for 2 years, Bethesda Lutheran Church as office manager for 8 years and was the office manager for the Red River Valley Synod Office for 5 years.  In July of 1980, she graduated from Moorhead Area Vocational Technical Institute with an accounting degree.  She worked for the Clay County Extension office for 9 years.  She also raised and kept tabs on four rambunctious kids that were 6 years apart.

In her spare time she liked to square dance, quilt, travel the U.S. and volunteer for many non-profit organizations.   She loved spending time with her family and especially the grand and great-grandchildren.  All were very precious to her.

She is survived by her children, Roland “Rocky” (Mary) Swanson, Moorhead, Sandra Swanson, Moorhead, Ardelle “Ardy” (Dennis) Jacobson, Denton, TX, and Randy (Cathy) Swanson, Long Prairie, MN; eight grandchildren, Heidi (Robert) Raethz, Moorhead, Jacquelyne (Darin) Haugen, Moorhead, Brock (Marnie) Swanson, Sartell, MN, Jennifer (Arnie) Gish, Lawton, OK, Brandie (Don) Vincent, Dilworth, MN, Ericka (Shaun) Eskam, Rhome, TX, Thaddeus Swanson, Fargo, ND, and Brooke Swanson, Baxter, MN; 15 great-grandchildren, Heather Berg, Syndey and Chloe Swanson, Dustin and Dylan Haugen, Madison and Faith Vincent, Tyler, Gideon, Abigail and Sam Gish, and Sadie, Shiloh, Saylor and Scarlett Eskam; and great-great grandchild Mason Berg.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Earl; two sisters and four brothers.  She is survived by sisters, Eleanor Fauske, Bottineau, ND and Florence Dahl, Anchorage, AK as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the entire staff and Eventide for their professional and compassionate care of Dorothy these past four months.

Memorials preferred to the Eventide Foundation or Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation: Friday, March 16, 2018 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Funeral: Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 11:00 AM with a visitation one hour prior at Bethesda Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN.

Burial: Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.