Kay Swanson

Kay (Johnson) Swanson passed away with family by her side, at Four Seasons Health Care Center in Forman, Saturday, March 14, 2026.

Kay was born October 29, 1949 at St. Francis Hospital, Breckenridge, MN, to Lloyd and Elaine (Wohler) Johnson of rural Gwinner, ND. Kay went to school at North Sargent in Gwinner. Kay married Larry Swanson July 1, 1967. They made their home on the farm south of Gwinner and later moved into town. Kay and Larry were blessed with three sons; Darrel, Bradley and Jordan. Kay retired from her one and only job at J&M Printing in Gwinner after 32 years.

Kay was a great cook and baker. She loved to laugh. She enjoyed being with her family and friends most of all. There were Father's Day and July 4th picnics in the park where she would bring her famous "tato salad" and catch up with her family and laugh and joke together. Christmas was a big holiday when all the Johnsons could get together and Kay got to catch up with her brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and friends. There is nothing better than a frenzied round of musical chairs that was full of cackling and screaming.

Kay, Larry and the boys took many vacations to Medora, ND. There were also trips to Disney World in Florida, Yellowstone National Park, Branson, MO, Mt Rushmore and even a trip to Alaska. Kay was on a bowling team, and she liked to go golfing. Kay also liked to walk, and she went through many a pair of tennis shoes walking to visit her mom, going to friend's homes, the grocery store and also to work. When walking became too much, Kay could be seen driving all over Gwinner in her red golf cart. Red was her favorite color.

Kay is survived by her husband Larry; sons Darrel (Wendy), Bradley (Kim), and Jordan; grandchildren: Hans, Isaac (Courtney), Darby (Dacotah) Mittag - Tori, Gage, Mya - Nora and Lennon; great grandsons, Jaxyn, Dexter, Koda & Beau; brothers: Larry Johnson, Duane (Betty) Johnson, Miles (Lannae) Johnson, Kent (Julie) Johnson and Dale Johnson; sisters: Charlene Smith and Carolyn (Richard) Jacobson; sisters-in-law: Cheryl (Wendell) Wolters, Marcia (John) Neffs; brothers-in-law: Marlowe (Karen) Swanson, Jerome Swanson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents; sister Donna and brother Allan; her mother-in-law Lois Seelye and father-in-law Marvin Swanson.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Gustaf Adolf Lutheran Church in Gwinner with lunch to follow. Kay's service will be live streamed below.