Frances T. "Fran" Swenson
January 20, 1937 ~ March 25, 2021
Age 84 of Forest Lake. Loving mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, passed away at home on March 25, 2021.
Preceded in death by parents, Nello & Agatha Baiocchi; husband, Howard; granddaughter, Kaitlyn. Survived by children, Randall (Mary), Michelle Drury, Deborah (Curt) Moen, Susan (Daniel) Haakenson, Mark (Rose), David (Amy), Tom (Kim), grandchildren, Cassandra, Melanie, Michelle, Jeremy, Nicholas, Charlie, Thomas, Leah, Aaron, Nathan, Ryan, Anthony, Rachael, Jonathan, Jesse, Kristin, Madeline, Sam, Drew, Emma, Liam, Jordyn, Isabella, Haley, Emma, Kate, Will, Elizabeth; 25 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Marge Rosinia, Alice Dronen; nieces, nephews, other relatives & dear friends.
Frances Therese Baiocchi, (Fran) grew up in Chicago, Illinois near Logan Square. Fran graduated from Providence High school and worked as a stenographer and bookkeeper. She met and married the love of her life Howard Swenson in 1954. They started their family in Chicago eventually moving to the Forest Lake area in 1963. In the almost 60 years of living in this community she dedicated herself to raising her family, being close to friends, volunteering at St. Peters Parish and many other community organizations.
Fran loved her many plants, gardening, card club, crocheting, decorating for the holidays and doting over her extensive family with love and lots of deserts, especially cookies and bars. One Easter she went as far as painting giant bunny tracks on the kitchen floor. Imagine our surprise as children upon this discovery. One of her plants was a six foot tall cactus that bloomed often. She received it from her mother and it is still going strong being passed down to her granddaughter. Fran was an avid card player in her circle of friends calling themselves the “Queens of Hearts.” She loved to travel and went as far abroad as Italy visiting relatives in Tuscany and ,The Pope!
Fran was a devout Roman Catholic with a deep belief in God and dedication to her faith. This is witnessed through her dedication to her family ,friends and community. Frances possessed a gentle quiet spirit that will continue to watch over us.
Visitation 4-7 PM Tuesday, March 30th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, Forest Lake. Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Wednesday, March 31st at the Church of Saint Peter, Forest Lake with visitation from 9:30-10:30 AM at the FUNERAL HOME. Interment, Calvary Cemetery. The mass will be livestreamed here: https://youtu.be/tHzzbGcWSW4
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Our Hearts and Thoughts are with you and your family. May your memories help sooth your loss. We love you!
Fran worked with me at school. Fran, Toni Steffenson and me became very good friends. Many times after work wed head to the cities and shop, have dinner and head home. Many Fridays after work we’d have Margarita’s at some Mexican restaurant. Driving around the Stillwater area and stopping at Nelson’s for ice cream was another favorite time together. She will be dearly misses.
Fran was such a cheery, friendly soul with an easy laugh. When together with her sister they inhabited a world of their own, laughing at every silly little thing. These pictures were taken in 2010 when Fran and Marge dressed up for lunch and posed in their finest. She will be missed. Love Richard
Michelle, Holding you in our hearts as you celebrate your sweet Mom. Love, Anne, Cathy, Jane, Joan, Joanie, Katie, Maria, Marie, Mary, Molly & Nancy
Our hearts go out to you at your time of loss. With sympathy,
Thinking of you all with heartfelt sympathy.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family today. Always remember that love leaves a memory no one can steal. Sincerely,
Fran was such a comfort to our Mom when she would stay with her after several accidents. Her only requests were to have prune juice and orange slices on hand. She was easy going,funny loving and gone much too soon. Bob Rosinia
I remember you Mother from her food service years. Wonderful smile and good friend, Sorry for your loss,Blessings sent
To Michelle and family, Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
I am Frances’ sister Marge’s granddaughter. While I only saw Fran a handful of times, I remember very clearly a story about her that my grandma Marge tells me. For most of her childhood, Grandma Marge wanted to be a nun but that all changed when her baby sister Frances was born. Grandma Marge says she took one look at this adorable baby and knew she wanted a family of her own. Love, Morgan
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, The Kawohl Family
Sending our Heartfelt Condolences. Wishing your family Comfort in this time of Sorrow.. With Love, The Bellows Family, Dan Lisa Amy Ben W. & Lucas
Our warmest condolences from our family,
Wishing you peace and comfort.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Since we know how much Fran loved plants we wanted to have a tree planted in her memory. We will remember her always with fondness.
I so appreciated My Aunt Frances, especially when she joyfully gave her time to stay with my Mom (Fran’s big sister), Marge Rosinia, when she was recovering from a bad fall. We shared tips on how to best set my mom’s hair in curlers and the best way to keep the blow-up mattress inflated. I loved being able to text my aunt funny messages and share pictures of my grandchild with her. She was so easy to talk to and will be greatly missed. I remember visiting MN when Granny was there one summer and how welcoming the whole Swenson family was. I am so sorry her life was cut short. Love, Laura (Rosinia) Sarley
Hi Tom & Family – My heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your mom. I’m sorry this post is late, but I’ve had the Covid. I’m sure your mom will be missed by so many. She was a very attractive woman.
Michelle, Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
With my warmest condolences. May Fran rest in peace in God’s arms.
May your heart and soul find peace and comfort. With loving memory of your Mom.
I’m so sorry about Frances’ (may her memory be for a blessing), she was very important to me and I will miss her.