Rita Swanson

RITA ANN (CROKE) SWANSON

Rita Ann (Croke) Swanson, 88, Two Harbors, died Tuesday, May 22, 2012 in St Luke's Hospital.

She was born September 10, 1923 to James and Laura (Belland) Croke in Two Harbors. Rita married Cecil Swanson July 19, 1948 in Holy Spirit Catholic Church where she was a life-long member. She also was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Women of the Moose. Prior to her marriage, Rita was employed as a welder in the shipyards during World War II. Rita was a homemaker through the years, a loving wife and mother, and enjoyed her work as a volunteer at the Lake View Nursing Home for 35 years.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Cecil; daughters, Carol Williams and Margaret Anderson; brothers, Leo, Francis, Raymond, John, Clarence, Larry, Cletus and Robert; and sisters, Mary Nolt and Dorothy Grondahl; son-in-law Robert Williams; and a great-grandson Nicholas Anderson.

Rita is survived by her 10 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; son-in-law Richard Anderson; brother-in-law Viljo Grondahl; sisters-in-law Betty Croke and Dorothy Croke; many nieces; nephews; and special friends Jim and Kathy Clark.

Rita's family would like to thank the staff and residents of Ecumen Scenic Shores Care Center, the staff of Lakeview Hospital, the nurses at St. Luke's 7W, 6C ICU, and Hospice, Drs. Josephs, Goellner, Kleinschmidt, Popham, Buresh for their kind and loving care.

Visitation will be from 10 AM until the 11 AM Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, May 25, 2012 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Holy Spirit Catholic Church.