Betty Mae Swanson

PLEASE NOTE THE SERVICE DATE:

Betty Swanson, age 96, of Marshall, Minnesota, died on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in Marshall. A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. Private burial will take place at a later date in the Marshall Cemetery.

Betty Mae Heinis was born on January 25, 1930, in Marshall, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Adlai and Laura (Kontz) Heinis. Betty grew up in Marshall where she was baptized as an infant, received her first communion, and was confirmed in her youth at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Betty graduated from the Marshall High School Class of 1948. She went on to work at Super Valu Grocery, Dekamp's Variety Store, and then studied color theory under Les Kouba in the Twin Cities.

On September 6, 1950, Betty was united in marriage to Howard Swanson in Marshall. The couple made their home in Marshall where Betty worked as a mother and homemaker for many years. She would later go on to work at Poor Borches and Betty owned her own ceramic shop and her own home daycare. She also volunteered many hours for 4-H, in the Lyon County Fairground Office, and at the Avera Thrift Store.

Betty was a past member of the Eagles Club in Marshall, enjoyed flowers and birdwatching, and spent a lot of time traveling or camping while visiting various relatives. She often claimed to have been "all over the world."

Betty Swanson died in Marshall, Minnesota on February 7, 2026, just 13 days after her 96th birthday. Blessed be her memory.

She is survived by her daughter, Myia (and Allen) Sanow of Reedsburg, WI; 9 grandchildren, Mark (and Heather) Claeys, Shala Irwin, Leea (and Shane) Upchurch, Billie Jo (and Chip) Suchocki, Ryan Swanson, Shane Sanow, Taya (and Jesse) Christensen, Shonda Kersten, Brittany "BJ" (and Dale) Curtin; 20 great-grandchildren; 2 step-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Adlai and Laura Heinis; husband, Howard Swanson (in 2011); daughter, Charlene Claeys Sapp; son, William "Bill" Swanson; and 3 siblings, Jane Prellwitz, Bernice Breyfogle, and Joe Heinis.