Janet Swanson passed away peacefully on Monday, February 28, 2011 at the age of 75 at Oakland Park Communities in Thief River Falls, MN.

A Service Celebrating the Life of Janet will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 4, 2011 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend John Voelker officiating. Inurnment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer service on Thursday evening. Visitation will be also one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Janet Shirley Swanson was born on March 21, 1935 in Thief River Falls, MN the daughter of Murwill and Clarion (Hovland) Pederson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. Janet attended grade school in Thief River Falls and Seattle, WA and high school at Lincoln High in Thief River Falls.

On May 25, 1956 Janet was united in marriage to Chester Swanson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. This union was blessed with one child, Ricky. Together with Chesters children, they made their home in the Thief River Falls area.

Janet was employed as a secretary in the Sheriffs Office at the Law Enforcement Center in Thief River Falls, at Trinity Lutheran Church as a secretary, and at Dakota Clinic in the insurance department, retiring in 1997.

Janet enjoyed dancing, gardening, reading, bird watching, and had a love for animals. Some of her hobbies included playing cards and board games, crossword puzzles, and watching TV.

In the past Janet served as President of the American Legion Auxiliary, and volunteered, doing respite care for Lutheran Social Services and Hospice. In addition, Janet and Chester did foster care for a period of time.

Janet will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, niece, cousin, and friend.

Janet is survived by children, Ricky (Charlene) Swanson, Steven (Laurel) Swanson, and Duane Swanson all of Thief River Falls, MN, and Debra (Ken) Johnson of Prescott, AZ; grandchildren, Ryan (Stephanie) Swanson of Fargo, ND, Eric Swanson of Fargo, ND, Michael Swanson of Badger, MN, Michelle (Brian) Benitt of Thief River Falls, MN, Jeremy (Tara) Swanson of Fargo, ND, Cody (Alina) Swanson of Italy, Kristopher Johnson of Phoenix, AZ, Benjamin Johnson of Prescott, AZ, and Charity (Bill) Bentow of Thief River Falls, MN; great-grandchildren, Jacob and Kayli Swanson, Dylin Davidson, Megan, Eryn, and Keegan Benitt, Liviana Swanson, Maria Swanson, and Brandon Bentow; sister, Dianne Pederson of Thief River Falls, MN, and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Preceding Janet in death are her husband, Chester in 1995; her parents; great-grandson, Grady Benitt, and sister, Donna Schantzen.