Patricia Lucille Swanson

"" Patricia Lucille Swanson, 75, of La Crescent and formerly of Minneiska, MN, died on Friday, December 9th, 2011 in her home. She was born on October 5, 1936 to Lawrence and Lucille (Newton) Swanson. Pat had been a catholic nun for several years, affiliated with the Mother House in Rochester. She received her Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and began her career as a pre-school special education teacher which lasted 52 years. Teaching was her passion and she was beloved by many of her former students and their families. Pat loved travelling all over the world. She enjoyed gardening, reading, swimming, exercising at Curves, and she loved butterflies. The biggest part of Pats life was her family and friends. She loved having people over and baking and cooking for them. She also loved volunteering at the Salvation Army, Bread for the World, and the Social Justice Committee at the Newman Center. Pat was a member of the Red Hat Society, and was a speaker at the Relay for Life in La Crescent this past summer.

Pat is survived by two daughters, Sara Swanson of Roseville, MN and Guerlyn Lynn Swanson of St. Paul, MN, five brothers, Ray (Patricia) Swanson of Rollingstone, MN, Gerry (Bonnie) Swanson of Reno, NV, Dick (Jackie) Swanson of Minneiska, MN, Dennis (Pat) Swanson of Winona, MN and Bob (Marge) Swanson of Elgin, MN, many nieces, nephews and friends, and her best friend Mary Starr Whitney of Dakota, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Harold.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 13th at 11:30 AM at the Roncalli Newman Center, La Crosse. Rev. Mark Pierce will officiate. Private family burial will be held in Minneiska, MN. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crescent on Monday from 5:00 8:00 PM and at the church on Tuesday from 10:30 AM until the time of services. A Prayer Service will be held Monday evening at 7:00 PM. Memorials may be given to the Foundation for Haiti Orphanage or the American Cancer Society.