Deborah Trosen

Deborah Lynn (Swanson) Trosen passed away unexpectedly on January 1st, 2022. Debbie was born in St. Paul, MN on April 5th, 1954 to Wendell and Phyllis Swanson. She grew up with seven brothers and sisters in Harris, MN. She attended and graduated from North Branch High School and went on to attend Vennard College in Iowa for 2.5 years. While at Vennard, she met Gordy Trosen. They were married in Brooklyn Park on May 15th, 1976. The love they shared only grew deeper through 45 years of marriage. They spent most of their married life working together on a dairy farm in Verndale, MN. Debbie spent much of her days caring for and helping to raise their four children, as well as helping with the various chores that come with farm life. While she was raising her own children, Debbie was actively involved with different children’s ministries and music at the Evangelical Church in Wadena. She was well known there for her beautiful singing voice, her almost limitless patience with children, and her kindness and compassion. When her children were older, she also spent time working with children with special needs at Verndale Public School and then spent some time teaching at Sonrise Christian School in Bluffton.

Music was an ever-present part of Debbie’s life. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, reading, and “tea time”. She especially loved spending time with family. When with her grandchildren, she could usually be found baking cookies, happily listening to unending chatter, doing crafts, throwing tea parties, or reading stories while children piled on and around her.

In more recent years, Debbie and Gordy had been involved in ministries at the Hewitt Nazarene church. Their faith remained strong throughout the difficult seasons of cancer treatments and loss. Debbie and Gordy were looking forward to travelling while visiting with family and friends and serving at different Christian ministries along the way. Her life of faithfulness, devotion, and of deep faith will continue to resound for generations to come.

Deeply loved, Debbie will be mourned by her husband Gordy; children Chris (Laura) Trosen, Joe (Jenny) Trosen, Jill (Tristan) Borland, and Randi (Andrew) Moulton; sister Sandy (Al) Weisbrod; brothers, Wendell (Bonnie) Swanson, Randy (Sandie) Swanson, Steve Swanson, David (Linda) Swanson, and John Swanson; 12 grandchildren and so many other family and friends.

Debbie was preceded in death by her brother Joey, sister Ginene, father and mother Wendell and Phyllis, and granddaughter Maria.

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