Lois Lorraine Swanson

Lois Lorraine Swanson, 85, formerly of Port Washington, Wis., passed away peacefully after a long illness on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, in Roseville, Minn., with her family present as they shared stories and laughter.  

  Lois Fritschel was born in Fairmont, Minn., to Alvin Henry and Lillian Marie Fritschel on Nov. 10, 1937, and grew up in Jackson and Preston, Minn. 

She graduated from Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, with a bachelor’s degree in social work and earned a master’s degree in social work from the School of Social Welfare at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 

She worked for many years in Wisconsin as a child protection social worker for both Washington County and Ozaukee County’s Child Welfare Departments. While she never received any formalized recognition for her social work career, she fiercely advocated for, and worked diligently on behalf of, local children. She was a reliable asset for decades in this social justice work.   

  After she retired, she worked for many years at the W. J. Niederkorn Library in Port Washington, Wis., the City of Port Washington Pebble House Visitor’s Center and the Wisconsin Humane Society, Ozaukee Campus, in Saukville, Wis., where she could be heard reading to the dogs.

Lois was very involved in her churches, Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington, Wis., and Living Hope Lutheran Church in Saukville, Wis. She actively participated in church services through playing the organ, singing in the choir and working on the Altar Guild. She was also actively involved in the church council, church library, member outreach, fundraising, book club and bible study.  

  Lois was preceded in death by her parents, brother David Fritschel and ex-husband Fred R. Swanson Jr.  

  Lois is survived by son Fred R. Swanson III (Beth) of Madison, Wis.; daughter Laura Schurhamer of Mendota Heights, Minn.; sisters Kathryn Johnson (Roy) and Linda Fritschel (Jim Kiehne); grandchildren Dylan and Samantha Swanson and Paul, Benjamin (Maggie), Daniel, Eric (Annie) and Rachel Schurhamer; great-grandchildren Linley, Josie and Charlie Schurhamer; nephews Mark and Paul Johnson (Martha); and numerous friends.  

  Lois was loved by many because of her genuine interest in other people. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who also loved to knit, cook and visit Boyd’s Mason Lake Resort in Wisconsin. While she fished daily on vacation, all she really ever caught were interesting stories from other guests.    

  The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the staff at Eaglecrest Assisted Living of Roseville, Minn., and the hospice service Optage. 

  Lois’ designated memorials are the Wisconsin Humane Society, Ozaukee Campus, Saukville, Wis.; Breast Cancer Recovery Group, Madison, Wis.; and Living Hope Lutheran Church, Saukville, Wis. Any memorials can be sent directly to the above per Lois’ request.  

  A celebration of life service has been held in St. Paul, Minn.

As one final reminder of her largesse, Lois donated her body to the Mayo Clinic Foundation for Medical Education and Research in Rochester, Minn.

Burial will be at a later date.