Delores Swanson

Delores "Dee" Swanson - AKA Sister Arnelda ,Sister Delores ,Dee passed away on 2/9/23 after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. She was an only child, born in Winthrop, Mn. Her mother Evelyn died in childbirth. Dee became a nun for the School Sisters of Notre Dame, teaching at various grade schools across the state with her longest tenure being at Sacred Heart in St Paul, Dee left the order after many years of service and became involved in Prison Ministry, fulfilling a lifelong ambition. She became a Math and Literacy teacher at the Stillwater Prison for 20+ yrs. She was much loved by co-workers and inmates alike. Dee had a contagiously optimistic outlook on life. She had an exuberant laugh that could fill a room and warm a heart. Dee was ferociously independent and unfailingly generous. She touched countless lives in her teaching ministry. She will be profoundly missed by her many friends at the Burnsville Co-op where she lived, and by her relatives, classmates, former students, and a legion of friends. Dee's best friend in life of over 50 years was her beloved Mike. They traveled the world and talked multiple times daily on the phone. To know Dee was to love her. She leaves this world far better than she found it. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at Mueller Memorial- St. Paul, 835 Johnson Parkway, with visitation from 10 AM until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Lady of Peace Hospice, https://ourladyofpeacemn.org/donate/