Margaret W. Swaningson died peacefully on Tuesday morning September 27, 2016 after a lengthy illness.
She is survived by her daughter Linde’ Schuster and her son Ric Swaningson, her son-in-law Ron Schuster and daughter-in-law Dawn Swaningson; her granddaughters: Elizabeth Carter, Arlys Fortier, Koreen Amen Joseph, Nichole Swaningson, Mindy Williams, Lacy Swaningson, Julia Schuster; great granddaughter: Megan Fortier, Abby Fortier, Alexandria Joseph, Andrea Joseph and Emma Williams and step-grandchildren: Destiny Fortier, Grace Schuster Knowles and Joseph Schuster.
Margaret answered to Margo most of the time. She was born on May 1, 1930 in Minot, North Dakota to Lois Franklin Wuttke and Albert Wuttke. She was their 3rd of 4 children.
During the Depression, the family moved often to find better work. She lived in ND, SD MN and WI before she was 19 when she met and married Arthur Swaningson. Art and Margo settled in Maple Plain, MN on a small farm where they raised their three children, several horses, chickens, ducks, geese and turkey and, of course, corn, soybeans and hay to feed them all. Art drove truck for National Foods while Margo and the kids took care of much of the farming. Upon becoming empty nesters, they chose a life of evangelism and traveled the world for the Seventh Day Adventist church.
After her husband’s death in 2003, Margo shared her time between the homes of her three children. She loved her years in Raton and had been hoping to return when she got better. She made and loved many friends here.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, her three siblings, her infant sons Mark and Michael and, regrettably, her daughter Trudy Mike and her loving husband of 53 years Arthur Swaningson.
There will be a memorial service in Minnesota where her ashes will be placed near her husband’s. Date is pending.
