Norma Swanberg

Norma Marion Halvorson was born on August 11, 1931, in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Her parents were Rudolph and Martha (Skogsal) Halvorson. In 1934 the family moved to the farm outside of Ottertail, MN. Norma and her four siblings grew up and attended school at country school District 131. Norma especially loved helping on the farm – milking cows and taking care of the baby pigs. She had fond memories of watching her dad build the barn in 1936 while she sat on the deck of the loft. Norma graduated from Battle Lake High School.

Norma met the love of her life, Fred Swanberg, through mutual friends and started dating in the summer of 1957. One of their favorite dates was roller-skating at Balmoral. On October 5, 1957, Norma was united in marriage with Fred at the Federated Church in Fergus Falls. Their union was blessed with four children and 59 years of marriage before Fred’s passing in 2016.  They made their permanent home in the house that Fred built in 1964. Norma took special pride in Fred’s craftmanship in building their home. She also took pride in being a domestic engineer, keeping her home and family running. Her children feel fortunate to have had her at home growing up and greeting them with baked goods after school.

Going on family trips and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were Norma’s joys. She liked reading, shopping, Wheel of Fortune, Daniel O’Donnell music and collecting things like teapots, teaspoons, salt and pepper shakers, and Denim Days.

In July 2021 Norma moved to the Good Samaritan Home in Battle Lake. While she always wished to be in her own house, she appreciated the care and companionship of the staff at Good Sam. The family thanks the staff for the loving care that was provided to Norma and will forever be grateful for the connections that Norma had with them.

On March 28, 2023, Norma passed away surrounded by her loving family at the Good Samaritan Society in Battle Lake, Minnesota at 91 years of age.

Preceding Norma in death were husband Fred, her parents; infant daughter, Dawn Renee; granddaughter, Ashley Swanberg; great-grandson, Simon Hiltner; daughter-in-law, Roxanne Swanberg; brothers, Boyd Halvorson and Gordon Halvorson; sisters, Dolores Scott and Marjorie Halvorson, brothers-in-law, John Scott, Marlin Swanberg, Roy Swanberg and Clyde Wheeler; sisters-in-law: Joyce Nordin and Marian Wheeler.

Norma is survived by her daughter, Laurie (Barry) Shaw; sons: Greg (Beth) Swanberg, Mike Swanberg and Steve (Rachel) Swanberg; nine grandchildren: Joslyn (CJ) Sutton, Megan (Ted) Johnson, Luke (Lauren) Swanberg, Travis (Kirsten) Swanberg, Ryan Swanberg, Mandy (Marty) Ellenson, Jessi (Jamie) Hiltner, Dylan (Megan) Shaw and Keegan Shaw; 16 great-grandchildren: Page, Mya, Samantha, Margaret, Drew, Lydia, Wyatt, Easton, Liam, Brynleigh, Delaney, Oliver, Freddy, Rett, Bronson, and Goldie; sisters-in-law Betty Halvorson and Donna Swanberg; numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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