DORENE SWENSON

Mrs. Dorene Swenson, 84 of Neenah, Wisconsin, passed away on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at Bridgewood Nursing Home in Neenah. Dorene Ellen Louise Fair was born to James G. and Nellie (Thompson) Fair, the youngest of four children, on August 14, 1929, in Edmore, ND. She was raised in Grand Forks, ND and graduated from Grand Forks Central High School in 1947. She attended the University of North Dakota. Dorene married Vernon L. Swenson on January 23, 1948. They were the parents of Rand Lee Swenson and Scott Fair Swenson. Dorene and Vern lived in many cities around the country including: Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Minneapolis, MN; Battle Creek, MI; Milwaukee, WI; and more recently, Tampa, FL, and Knoxville, TN. Dorene worked for a number of years at the Valic Insurance Co. in Tampa. In retirement Dorene volunteered in the gift shop at Theda Clark Hospital. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed a number of years in Red Hat activities. She attended St. Marks Lutheran Church in Neenah. Dorene made friends easily and was very outgoing, always there to lend a hand to a friend in need. Dorene is survived by sons: Rand (Vicky) Swenson, Fremont, WI, and Scott (Kris) Swenson, Neenah, WI; grandson Reed (Sally) Swenson, Dacono, CO; great granddaughter, Stella Rae Swenson, Dacono, CO. She is also survived by granddaughter Angela Schwandt, Omro, WI; great grandchildren: Hannah and Erik Schwandt, Omro, WI, and Alyssa Pratt, Neenah, WI. Dorene also has many nieces, nephews, and cousins that she was very fond of. Family and friends were very important to her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Nellie Fair; husband, Vern Swenson; grandson Jesse Ray Swenson; and grandson, Jay Pratt. She was also preceded in death by her brothers: James G. Fair, Robert M. (Jean McKay) Fair, and Donald B. Fair. A Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at Neenahs Westgor Funeral Home, Pastor Stephen W. Dietzler officiating. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until the hour of service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established for the American Cancer Society in Dorenes name.