Beatrice "Bea" Fern Swanson

Beatrice “Bea” Fern Swanson of Mora, formerly of Grasston, died Friday morning, March 13th, at the Kanabec Hospital in Mora at the age of 84. Beatrice was born in Fredrick WI., December 15, 1924 to Arleigh and Celia (Sjoberg) Johnson. With her older sister Margaret, they lived in Grantsburg WI until moving to the Rice Lake area west of Braham. Beatrice attended the Seward Country School before graduating from the Braham High School in 1942. Early in 1943, Beatrice worked at the airport for several months riveting airplanes for the war effort. During one of many visits home on weekends, she met Earl Swanson. On October 20, 1944 they were married and started their family. Bea and Earl farmed with Earl’s father for a couple years during which time Sandra was born. In the spring of 1947, with year old Sandra, they moved to Libby Montana. Earl worked construction for the summer and Beatrice cared for their young daughter. They lived in Carnation Washington for a short period before returning to Minnesota in the fall of 1947. Bea continued to care for Sandra while Earl worked for his father-in-law insulating. In the spring of 1948, they moved to the east side of Pine City and farmed on shares with John Planert. Later Bea and Earl returned to the Grasston area where they farmed on shares with Earl’s father, Edwin. In 1955, they purchased the Swanson homestead and continued dairy farming until 1974. Bea and Earl continued raising hay crops while maintaining a large vegetable garden with plenty of room for flowers. In their retirement, Bea gardened while Earl drove school bus. Eventually, the flowers out numbered the vegetables and Bea’s true passion bloomed. Bea helped with Boy scouts as a devoted Den Mother and was an active officer of the Sugar & Spice Homemaker Club of Grasston. In 2002 Bea and Earl moved to the Villages of Mora assisted living apartments where she lived until transferring to Villa Health Care nursing home in November 2008. Bea is survived by sons, Scott (Joyce) of St. Helens, OR, and Tim (Leanne) of White Bear Lake; son-in-law Jim Vosika of Cohasset; grandchildren, Mario Vosika (Jim Sunderlin), Dan Vosika, John Vosika, Eric Swanson, Katie Swanson; 8 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandsons; sister Margaret Cross, brothers-in-law Carl (Adele) Swanson of Fridley, and Jim (Charlene) Swanson of Grasston; sisters-in-law Jenny Peterson of Coon Rapids, and Margaret Johnson of Milaca; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Bea was preceded in death by her parents, Arleigh and Celia (Sjoberg) Johnson, husband Earl, and daughter Sandra (Vosika) Swanson. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 19th at the Immaculate Conception Church of Pine City with Father David Forsman officiating. A time of visitation and reviewal will take place 5-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 18th at the Swanson Funeral Chapel in Pine City and also 1 hour prior to the Mass at the chapel. Interment will be at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Pine City. Funeral arrangements are with the Swanson Funeral Chapel of Pine City.