Eleanor Swanson, 74, died Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at Oakland Park Nursing Home, Thief River Falls, MN.

Eleanor Ruth Swanson was born April 29, 1930, in Thief River Falls, MN, the daughter of George and Katharine (Anton) Swanson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith at Calvary Lutheran Church in St. Hilaire, MN. She attended rural school and graduated in 1947 from Lincoln High School.

After graduation, she was employed by Northern State Bank for four years, reaching the position of assistant cashier. Eleanor then moved to Moorhead and worked at Kippels retail store for one year. She then moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she was employed by Smartwear-Emma Lang clothing store, for 13 years, where she became assistant secretary of the corporation. She also managed the Palette Shop which was an Artistic Supply Shop, for 31 years, retiring in 1997. Following her retirement she moved back to Thief River Falls.

Eleanor was a member and served on the boards of various organizations while in Milwaukee.

While living in Summerfield Apartments in Thief River Falls she was active in various committees. She was always ready to help in anyway she could. She enjoyed seeing her family often and organized a method of celebrating family birthdays. Her favorite place to be was the cabin at Lake Buzzle, Pinewood, MN, where she spent as many weekends as possible. She enjoyed Bible Study at Zion Lutheran Church and playing cards at Summerfield Apartments.

Eleanor is survived by six brothers and sisters: Lenord (Dorothy) Swanson, Lylian Richards, Oliver Skip (Pat) Swanson, Clifford (Shirley) Swanson, Leslie (Bernadette) Swanson and Sharon (Neil) Bugge, all of Thief River Falls, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and three brothers: Chester, Donald and Dennis.