Donald Craig Swenson

Donald Swenson Obituary Donald Craig Swenson
November 2, 1949 February 23, 2025
Minnetonka, Minnesota
A Celebration of Life for Don Swenson, 75, of Minnetonka, will be held on Monday, March 10, 2025, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Wayzata. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., with a luncheon to follow. Don passed away peacefully at home on February 23, cradled in the loving arms of his beloved wife, Christina.
Don was born on November 2, 1949, in Madison, Minnesota, to Harvard Wesley "Bud" and Constance (Kjos) Swenson. He graduated from Madison High School in 1967, earned a degree in Economics and Psychology from St. Olaf College in 1971, and completed his law degree at Washington University School of Law in 1974.
He often joked that he 'won the lottery' at St. Olafthe first draft lottery. This led him to enroll in Air Force ROTC during his senior year, later completing his service at St. Louis University while attending law school. He went on to serve in the Judge Advocate Generals (JAG) Corps of the United States Air Force, achieving the rank of Captain.
In the summer of 1973, Don met Christina, and they married on August 17, 1974. While Christina finished her degree, Don worked as a legal editor at West Publishing. Their journey took them to Little Falls, Minnesota, where they welcomed their two sons, Justin and Travis, just 17 months apart. In late 1978, the family moved to Thief River Falls where Don became corporate counsel for Arctic Enterprises. When Arctic was forced into bankruptcy in 1981, he worked with Lindquist & Vennum in Minneapolis to restructure the company. This experience led him to join the firms bankruptcy reorganization practice, where he played a key role in major cases regionally and nationwide.
Beyond his professional work, Don was deeply committed to his community and served on the Board of Directors for Hammer Residences in Wayzata, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities.
After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Don transitioned from law firm partner to entrepreneur, founding Stonehill Financial, a turnaround management group that helped struggling companies restructure without filing for bankruptcy.
In 2012, he sold Stonehill, retired, and moved to Tucson, where he and Christina enjoyed traveling and spending time on their boat in San Diego. Later, they returned to Minnetonka to be closer to family, embracing their cherished roles as Nana and Papa. Don will forever be remembered for his heart of golda man whose kindness, generosity, and unwavering support left an indelible mark on everyone he met. He had an innate ability to make those around him feel valued and heard, always ready with a listening ear, sage advice, or a helping hand.
Whether mentoring young professionals, assisting friends through tough times, or simply offering a thoughtful word, Don was the kind of person who made the world a better place. His work ethic was unparalleleddedicated, diligent, and deeply committed to every endeavor he pursued, both professionally and personally. He believed in lifting others up, giving freely of his time, knowledge, and wisdom without hesitation. Above all, Don's greatest joy came from being there for his family and friends, embodying the values of love, integrity, and selflessness in all that he did.
Don is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Christina; his sons, Justin (Andrea) and Travis (Bridget); his eight adored grandchildren, Tylar, Alexis, Bentley, Harley, Giuliana, Lucas, Connor, and Madeline; sister Phyllis Sachs and brother Roger Swenson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvard Wesley "Bud" and Constance (Kjos) Swenson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the National MS Society.
Services
Mass of Christian Burial
Monday
March 10, 2025
11:00 AM
St. Bartholomew Catholic Church (Wayzata)
630 East Wayzata Blvd
Wayzata, MN 55391 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Donald Craig Swenson, please visit our Tree Store.