Carol Swanson

Carol Evangeline (Bergsten) Swanson, 98, of Yankton, SD, passed from this world into the presence of her Lord and Savior on January 20, 2026, at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton. Online condolences may be sent at www.okfhc.com. Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Onsite Crematory of Yankton is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be directed to the Calvary Baptist Church Children's ministry in Yankton.

A celebration of her life will be held with family later this year in Nebraska. Inurnment will be at the Swanson Cemetery in rural Custer County Nebraska.

Carol was born on April 13, 1927, in rural Nowthen, MN, to Frank Robert and Ebba Bergsten. She grew up loving her older brother, Arvid, and younger sister, Dorothy “Dody.” She attended Anoka High School and Bethel College and Seminary, St. Paul, MN, where she met Nebraska farm boy, Fennet Swanson while serving coffee in the college cafeteria. On August 25, 1950, they were married at First Baptist Church in Anoka, MN and they established their home on a cattle ranch near Dannebrog, NE where they raised five boys. In retirement they moved to Grand Rapids, MN and then to Mission Hill, SD.

Carol loved to sing and was a member of several women’s choral groups and church choirs. She also enjoyed spending time fishing in Northern Minnesota with Fennet and family. She spoke often of good church friends, the quilt club, family visits, and a few special friends at Sister James.

Carol is survived by her children, Raymond (Irina) Swanson of Sweden; Norman (Debi) Swanson of Grand Forks, ND; Arlan (Linda) Swanson of Fulda, MN, Charles (Cindy Fitzgerald) Swanson of Kearney, MO; and Vernon Swanson of Talladega, AL; twelve grandchildren, Lisa (Tony Soper) Swanson, Karl Swanson, Tammy (Cole) Baxter, Jeremy (Sarah) Swanson, Justin (Holly) Swanson, Melody Mike, Peter (Allison) Swanson, Stefan Swanson, Luke (Leigh) Swanson, Jamie (Dustin) Hamilton, Chelsea (Tyler) Cornell, Briana “Bree” Swanson; 25 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, C. Fennet; brother Arvid; sister Dorothy; and beloved brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.