Obituary of Roy Edward Swenson

Roy was born to Rose and Ed Swenson of Wayzata, Mn.  He was the middle child to siblings Bob, Betty, Don, Grace, Lora and Suzie. After graduating from Wayzata High School, he joined the Navy. He was on his way to Japan when WWII ended. In 1955 Roy married Mary Lou. He was the proud Father to Paul and Ann; Grandfather to Katherine and Joe and Father-in- law to Laura and Rolf.

Roy worked in the automotive industry selling cars, automotive parts mainly in the Lake Minnetonka area. He also sold over the road truck insurance throughout Minnesota.

When the kids were growing up, they spent family vacations in Oregon, Washington DC and Big Sky Montana. The family spent many happy times at their cabin on Bay Lake with family and friends. On Sunday morning at the cabin you would find him whipping up at batch of pancakes for the family.  When not at Bay Lake, Roy enjoyed snow skiing and golfing. He always had a project such as refinishing furniture or just puttering in his garage. Roy loved cars but at the cabin, his favorite mode of transportation were his John Deere lawn tractors.

During his retirement he was an avid volunteer of his time. Once a month he delivered Meals on Wheels, at Christmas rang bells for the Salvation Army and was neighborhood captain for the American Heart Association. For the Bay Lake Improvement Association, he was a shoreline captain and a DNR invasive species inspector.

He was a long-time member of the Congregational Church of Excelsior where he was in charge of the Easter breakfast for many years. When they moved to Minnewashta Church he enjoyed being a member of the men’s club and doing projects around the church, as well as preparing the Church and Ushering for the service.

Roy died peacefully February 26, 2022 at age 94. Proceeded in death by wife Mary Lou. Survived by children Paul (Laura) Swenson and Ann (Rolf) Ringgold, Grandchildren Katherine and Joe Swenson, sisters Grace Donley and Lora Brothers, numerous relatives and friends. Special thanks to Parks Place Memory Care and Grace Hospice. Memorial service 11 am Saturday, March 19 at Minnewashta Church W 62nd St, Shorewood. Visitation at 10 am. In lieu of flowers memorials to Bay Lake Environmental Fund or Minnewashta Church Men’s Club.