Joanne “Jody” S. Swenson, 91

Jody Swenson, Sioux Falls, and formerly of Brandon/Valley Springs, passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Avantara Norton Health Care in Sioux Falls. She was 91.
My Life
By Joanne Sylvia
(Dedrick) Swenson
I was raised in the 1930s and 1940s. It was a time of innocence, trust, respect and high morals. I had a stable home and two loving parents. When I grew up I had the opportunity of traveling to many places that I never dreamed I would get to see first-hand. I was lucky to be in a good marriage that lasted 50 years. God blessed us with four wonderful sons to raise. Now, I’ve had the joy of all of my families living nearby and have gotten to enjoy getting to know my 16 grandchildren, and finally my 8 great-grandchildren! And, just think, we were all born free here in the best country in the world. We must never take that for granted or ever forget the beauty that surrounds us.
Yes, I’ve had a great journey and the love and support of a great family and friends. I want to especially thank God for keeping my family safe and my guardian angels who have been with me all the way. Who could ask for more?
- Jody
I was born May 9, 1933 at home in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Daniel David Dedrick and Marie Sylvia ) Dedrick. The family, Dorothy, Dwain, David, Willard and I, moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., in the Fall of 1935 when I was 2 years old. We all went to Longfellow grade school and all graduated from Washington High School, me in 1950. I worked after school and weekends at Lewis Drug Store, which was downtown on Phillips Avenue. I worked there for about three and a half years and then at Buttrey’s Dress Shop full-time, until I left for Park College at Parkville, Missouri, in the Fall of 1952. As a child, I took tap dancing lessons and was able to enjoy dancing into my college years. I entertained at many local functions, the Army Air Base, Christmas parties for the children’s homes, band concerts, recitals, and operettas in high school and college.
I worked as a secretary when I came home in the Spring of 1954 until I married Mark Swenson on Jan. 14, 1956 at Calvary Cathedral in Sioux Falls. We were married by the retired Bishop of South Dakota, the Rev. Blair Roberts. After an extensive trip south and west, we settled in Sioux Falls, where Mark was in business with his father and brother-in-law.
In 1966 we moved east of Sioux Falls to a 120-acre farm. Here, we decided to raise market lambs in business with our four sons to help pay for their college educations. I learned to be a midwife, professional bleacher sitter, chauffeur, washer of game uniforms and 4-H lambs (for the Fair), meal maker, and one of the loudest and most enthusiastic cheerers at the games. I was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star (over 50 years), the Valley Springs American Auxiliary (over 50 years), the Brandon Valley Booster Club, and the DuBois Family Association.
I loved hunting, antiques, reading, needlework, genealogy, writing, and anything to do with my family and their friends. Learning about new people and things always interested me. I narrated style shows. I finished two comprehensive genealogy books, one in 2000 and the other in 2010.
Over the years, I was active in P.T.A., Cub Scouts, Sunday School, and was President of the Church Women. I was elected to the Brandon Valley Board of Education in 1980 and served as Vice President during my two terms. I volunteered as a guide in the Henry Brockhouse Museum in conjunction with the Zoo. I gave tours through the museum and sometimes included the outside exhibits. After caring for my husband at home for quite a few years, we moved to Waterford at All Saints in 2002, and there I started a weekly reading group where I read aloud to the ladies and we shared experiences.
Grateful for having shared in Jody’s life: her four children, 16 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren with two more great-grandchildren to be born in the next few months: son, Joe (Cindy) Swenson of Sioux Falls, and their children: Stacia (Jameson) McGrann - Luke and Augie, Andrea (Scott) Cunningham - Quinn, Natalie, and Gabriel, Erika (Ryan) Boyd - Arthur and Kathryn, Riley Swenson; son, Ted Swenson of Brandon, and his children: Jane Swenson, Kate Swenson, and Mark Swenson; son, Steve (Lisa) Swenson of Valley Springs, and their children: Lily (lan) Spiegel - Val, Sophia (Dylan) Underberg, Sylvia Swenson, Benjamin Swenson, Britney (Andrew) Leinen Cedergren; son, Matt (Heather) Swenson of Valley Springs, and their children: Drake Swenson, Trevor Swenson, Cole Swenson, Kyle Swenson; and sister-in-law MarJean Dedrick.
Jody was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Roger Mark Swenson; her parents, her brothers; and her sister.
Jody’’ family would like to offer their heartfelt thank you to all of the staff at Avantara Norton Nursing Home, Kore Cares, and the Hospice staff for their care, friendship and companionship with our mother.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Valley Springs American Legion Auxiliary.
Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, July 15, 2024, at Spirit of Truth Lutheran Church, Brandon. The family will be present to greet friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 14, 2024, at the church.
For online condolences, visit millerfh.com.