Mary Swenson

Mary Nott Swenson passed away unexpectedly and peacefully on Friday, October 20, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Mary was born in Kenosha, WI, on June 10, 1934, to Percy and Alice (Eidsor) Cox. She graduated from Bradford High School in Kenosha, worked for a year to save for college, then attended one semester at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. That is when she met the first love of her life, Russell (Russ) Nott. After attending one semester, she dropped out to continue to work to fund her education. She and Russ married in 1954. Mary went back to the UW years later, after Russ was diagnosed with cancer. She wanted to be able to support herself and their children if it became necessary. She graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education in 1975. It was a different time then, and there were too many teachers. After substitute teaching for one year, Mary took a job with the State of Wisconsin where she worked in several different departments before retiring. Three years after Russ passed away in 1981, Mary met the second love of her life, Leonard Swenson. Leonard was a widower with four children who were about the same ages as Mary’s children. They married in 1984 and all eight children, spouses, and grandchildren have many happy memories of chaotic but fun holidays with Leonard and Mary. Leonard passed away of cancer in 1997. Mary nursed both husbands through their illnesses with great care, kindness, and love. Mary lived an independent life filled with family gatherings, homemade meals, and lots of games. She was devoted to her family, and did everything she could to make her home comfortable for family and other visitors, including preparing and serving their favorite foods. She will be remembered for her lifelong pursuit of learning, love of movies, and her caramel rolls and hot beef sandwiches. Mary was predeceased by her parents, her first husband, Russell Nott, her second husband, Leonard Swenson, and brothers Lawrence and James Cox. Mary is survived by her children: Maureen (Leonard) Hanson, Pamela (Glen) Rauwerdink, David (Jayn) Nott, Steven (Charlotte) Nott; stepchildren: Kathleen Swenson (Daniel Burbank), Steven Swenson, Michael (Lurene) Swenson, and Karin (Keith) Sieg. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 6 step-great-grandchildren, with 2 more great-grandchildren on the way. Mary will have a private Christian funeral service for immediate family, with a future burial in McFarland, WI, next to her first husband, Russell. The family expresses their gratitude to the staff of MercyOne Hospital and, especially, to the sincere care of the nurses and staff of the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo, IA.

Mary Swenson

June 10, 1934 - October 20, 2023