John F. “Swen” Swentkofske

John F. “Swen” Swentkofske, 75, of 3124 Shasta Ct. NE, died Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center after a short illness. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Pius X Catholic Church. he Rev. Phillip Thompson will officiate. Friends may call at the church after 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Jann; two daughters, Jennifer (David) Jensen of Fridley, Minn. and Jayna (Klinton) Swenson of Clear Lake, S.D.; two sons, Joel of Cedar Rapids and Josh and his significant other, Jessica of Marion; two brothers, Raymond (Joy) of Phoenix, Ariz. and Paul (Maureen) of Remer, Minn.; and two sisters, Paula Joslin of Phoenix, Ariz. and Nancy (Tom) Hicks of Remer, Minn.

He is also survived by five grandchildren, Jasia Swentkofske, John David Jensen, Josiah “Buzzy” Swen, Kooper Swen and Logan Swentkofske.

Swen was born Dec. 1, 1937, in Remer, Minn., the son of Mahlon and Opal Vanasse Swentkofske. He married Jann E. Johnson on Dec. 9, 1967, in St. Paul, Minn. John was the owner and operator of Swen Design for many years and retired in 1999.

Swen was a devoted and faithful member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and proudly served in the Army. He enjoyed trips to Northern Minnesota, hunting, taking care of his yard and pool. He enjoyed time spent with his beloved family especially his grandchildren who affectionately called him Papa.

John was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather whose memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial fund has been established.

Please leave a message or tribute to John’s family on the website, www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Jan. 23, 2013.