THOMAS SWEDZINSKI

Mass of Christian burial for Thomas Aloysius Swedzinski, 93, of Porter took place on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota.
A public visitation was held on Monday, July 15, 2024 at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Minneota with a prayer service following. Following the prayer service, all were welcome to join the Swedzinski family for refreshments at the Minneota City Community Center. Visitation continued Tuesday morning at the Remembrance Center. A rosary was prayed Tuesday morning at St. Edward. Burial took place at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Cemetery in Taunton following the funeral mass. A luncheon was held at St. Edward Church following the graveside service.
Thomas A. Swedzinski was born to Frank and Winifred (Boulton) Swedzinski on April 9, 1931 in Canby, MN. He attended Taunton Public Grade School and graduated from Minneota High School in 1949. When Tom was 11 his dad died suddenly. He appreciated the influence of Harry and Roby Marquardt, the hired men. After graduation he continued to run the family farm with his brother, Frank. Tom’s life was filled with music. He directed the St. Edward’s junior choir and played trumpet in the Minneota City Band for many years. Later in life he belonged to a quartet known as the ‘Taunton Statler Brothers’ and enjoyed singing in church.
Tom was drafted to the U.S. Army in 1953 and served in Germany in the Chemical Corps until 1955, then returned to the family farm in rural Taunton.
He was active with Farm Bureau, American Legion, Knights of Columbus and Taunton Holy Name Society. Tom was a lector and Parish Council member at the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Taunton. Hunting, golfing, welding, taming the land, and bus tours with friends, were some of his special hobbies.
On July 8, 1961 he was married to Madeline Coudron at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Milroy, MN. Together Tom and Madeline continued to farm and raise their four children Kevin, Susan, Anita, and Christopher. In 1995 Tom and Madeline moved to the Boulton family farm site near Porter.
Despite vision loss in 2002, he continued to stay current on agricultural and political issues, along with enjoying the activities of his four children, 15 grandchildren, and many friends. He was grateful for his Blind Support Group and the Minnesota State Services for the Blind that provided many hours of talking books on tape.
Tom passed away at the Clarkfield Care Center on Friday, July 12, 2024.
He is survived by his wife Madeline, of Porter; children Kevin (Jennifer) of Taunton, Sue (Tim) Buysse of Cottonwood, Anita (Paul) Carrette of Garretson, SD, Chris (Jessica) Swedzinski of Ghent; grandchildren Andrew (Caitlin), Alexa, and Noel Swedzinski, Hannah, Sam and Gretta Buysse, Henri, Jasper, Evelyn and Ida Carrette, Winifred, Hildy, Adeline, Harry and Crosby Swedzinski.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Winifred Swedzinski; sisters Helen (George) McGuire, Dorothy (Bill) Stake, Ruth (Bob) Jacob; brother Frank (Elly) Swedzinski; infant son Patrick.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Taunton American Legion or Sts. Cyril and Methodius Cemetery Fund.