Patricia Elaine (Swenson) Eral

Passed away January 13, 2022 at age of 78 due to complications from Covid-19. 

‘Patty” was born in Fergus Falls to Morris & Arlette Swenson on November 29, 1943.  She was raised on a farm outside of Hoffman, MN where she enjoyed spending time with her family, her animals, doing chores, and picking on her younger sister Priscilla.  She attended church and was baptized at Lands Lutheran Church.  Here she started her love for singing and being involved in several choirs throughout her life.  She also had inherited her love of music from her father who played several instruments.  

In 1972 she was ecstatic to welcome Roma Michelle and in 1981 was overjoyed to welcome Heather Jo.  She was wildly devoted to her 2 daughters who became the center of her life.  She raised them to mirror her qualities of being fiercely independent, to demonstrate high morals, always incorporate humor and maintain compassion for all.  As the girls became adults there was sure to be shenanigans and genuine laughter when the 3 of them gathered.  This only continued to grow as she became a grandmother to 2 boys and then 2 girls and then adding 2 additional step-grandchildren.  She would light up just to speak about each individual grandchild and made sure to have a consistent presence in each of their lives and events.  This also included her special relationship with her only son- in- law she often referred to as her son.   She had an uncanny ability to make each member of her family feel like they were her favorite and extremely special to her. 

Throughout her life she enjoyed such things as gardening, ceramics, planting flowers, canning, feeding her birds, cross-stitch, quilting, hardanger, and any creative outlet she could stay busy with. She enjoyed sharing her talents by doing such things as making hats and lap quilts for the Cancer Center. She also always enjoyed a “good” deal on QVC. Her faith has always been a foundation of who she was.  She looked forward to her Sunday church services and would still take notes to reflect on and apply to her life.  

The last 15 years she has been a staple at Walmart Optical Center Monticello where she created lasting friendships with Dr. Exstad and team members but also appreciated the relationships she built with the customers.  Pat continued to be dedicated to her job during the Covid-19 pandemic and worked fulltime up to the time of her contracting the disease in December. 

Special thanks to the wonderful doctors and nurses at Mayo Mankato Hospital, specifically the ICU Nursing team who provided invaluable care to Mom.  We acknowledge your job is hard and endless at this time but still went above and beyond to bring comfort to our family. 

She will be sorely missed. She is survived by her sister, Priscilla (Brian) Randin; children, Roma (Chris) Olson and Heather Schultz; grandchildren, Paxton Edens, Reegan Edens, Garrett Johnson and Skylar Caulfield, Mariah Bartholomew, and Meah Bartholomew; best friends, Leslie (Bob) Larson;  pets, Willy, Finnegan and Ziggy; along with endless friends and acquaintances.  She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Morris & Arlette Swenson. Visitation will be held Thursday January 20, 2022 from 5-7:30pm at Peterson-Grimsmo Chapel, 250 Broadway St E, Monticello. Memorial service at 2PM on Friday, January 21, at Quarry Community Church, 8585 MN-25, Monticello, MN, with visitation one hour prior to service.

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