Ralph Victor Swenson

Ralph V. Swenson, age 84, died on Sunday, July, 7, 2024 at his home with his family at his side. He was born on September 19, 1939 in Alexandria, MN, the son of Rev. Maurice (pronounced Morris) and Ruth Swenson. He attended high schools in Osceola, Nebraska; Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and graduated in 1957 from Winthrop, MN. He graduated in 1961 from Gustavus Adolphus College and received an MBA from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) in 1963. An accountant by training, Ralph worked at 3M in St. Paul for 38 years, retiring at the end of 1999 as the Director of Corporate Accounting. He was a CPA and a former member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Ralph and Marlys Schneider were united in marriage at Faith Lutheran Church in Comfrey, MN on June 6, 1964 with his father, Rev. Maurice Swenson, participating in the service. He had the great joy and privilege of seeing both of his children born – son Paul on July 11, 1967 and daughter Jodell on September 12, 1969 – both at Bethseda Hospital in St. Paul, MN.

Ralph sang in the chorales at Bethel Lutheran in Hudson and at Desert Hills Lutheran in Green Valley, Arizona for many years. He served on the church council of each congregation and chaired the Finance Committee at Desert Hills for almost 10 years. At Bethel, he served as the Financial Secretary for 2 years and led an offering count team for 10 years. He was elected to the Hudson School Board for two terms (1976-1982) and served as president of the Board for two years. Later, Ralph was elected to the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors for three terms (2000-2006) and chaired the Finance Committee for three and one-half years.

When the family ate together, his traditional toast was “To family near and far; and near is better!” In addition to his deep affection for his wife, children, grandsons and daughter-in law, he loved walking and playing cribbage with his wife, burning wood fires, reading good books (particularly military history and fictional thrillers), watching pro football, traveling with Marlys, and playing golf with friends that he treasured.

He is survived by his wife, Marlys; son, Paul (Courtney), Ponte Vedra, FL; daughter, Jodell, Minneapolis, MN; 2 grandsons – William, Minneapolis, MN and Anders, Gainesville, FL; his sister, Christine (Thomas) Wilmot, Winona, MN; and much-loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held at O’Connell Funeral Home, 520 S. 11th Street Hudson, WI on Friday, July 12, 2024 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.

The funeral service will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church-Downtown Campus, 920 Third Street, Hudson, WI 54016, followed by a luncheon on Saturday, July 13 at 11:00am.

Funeral Services Entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson.