Verna Swift, 100

Verna Swift

Verna Pearl Swift was born March 8, 1920, in Garvin, Minnesota, the daughter of Pete and Pearl (Olson) Engesser. She was a 1937 graduate of Tracy High School.

Verna worked as a clerk at Holden’s Grocery Store in Garvin for three years after High School.

In December 1941, Verna married Raymond Swift. They had four children together: Sandra, Douglas, Steven and Jeffery and resided in Balaton, Minnesota.

She always had a big garden, which provided for food for the family. Verna enjoyed cooking, baking and entertaining family and friends. She also loved to dance and listen to music.

As the children grew older, Verna acquired a job cooking for the Balaton School where she worked for nearly 20 years. She was delighted to have her own retirement income.

Verna was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Balaton Home Extension Club, and was a member of the Garvin Congregational Church.

Verna died on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy. Surviving is daughter Sandra of Marcellus, Michigan, two sons Douglas (Bev) Swift of Balaton, and Jeffery (Lori) Swift of Hutchinson, and daughter-in-law Kathy of Balaton. Verna is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Sue, Jamie, Missy, Lesa (Delroy), Sarah (Joe), Jennifer (Trent), Nathan (Katie), and Jason. She enjoyed seventeen great grandchildren: Britney (Oscar), Aquari, Alaila, Esden, Kaeler, Kayla, Mason, Tyson, Keegan, Malia, Matthew, Katherine, Brynn, Lyla, Ray, Harper and Hudson.  Verna was also blessed with great-great grandchildren: Aubri and Oscar. Surviving siblings are a sister Shirley Martin and sisters-in-law Betty Engesser, Jeanene Swift and Virginia Swift. Verna was preceded in death by her husband Raymond, son Steven, parents Pete and Pearl Engesser, sister Vesta Ahlmjeld, brothers Whitey, Earl and Jerry Engesser.

Verna lived 100 wonderful years and we were all blessed by her presence……Dad, here she comes!

Arrangements with Horvath Funeral Service Balaton, MN 507.629.4510 www.horvathfuneralservice.com