Virgil Elroy Swenson

Virgil Swenson, 93, of Willmar, died Friday, October 24, 2025, at Compassionate Cottage in Willmar.

His funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 30, at Svea Lutheran Church, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment with military honors will follow in the church cemetery. A recording of the funeral service is available for viewing below.   Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Homes in Willmar, www.hafh.org.

Virgil Elroy Swenson was born May 14, 1932, in Willmar, Minnesota, to Harold and Mabel (Bengtson) Swenson. He grew up on the family farm near Svea, attended the Svea Schoolhouse, and graduated from Willmar High School in 1950. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1956 before returning home to continue farming alongside his family.

On June 27, 1964, Virgil married Phyllis Anderson, and together they raised four sons: Scott, Kent, Ryan, and Corey. They made their home on the Swenson family farm, where Virgil raised cattle and grew crops. Phyllis passed away in 1993.  On June 28, 1997, Virgil married Betty (Manthei) Krause. The couple continued living on the farm, and Virgil remained actively involved in farming until his retirement in 2017—marking nearly 80 years of dedication to the land he loved. Betty passed away in 2018. For the past three years, Virgil made his home at Compassionate Cottage in Willmar.

Virgil was a lifelong member of Svea Lutheran Church, where he served as an usher for many years. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, his garden and flowers, and riding his motorcycle, as well as visiting area casinos—often checking out the fields along the way. He loved listening to music, especially Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley, and cherished time spent with his family and many friends in Minnesota and Arizona. Those who knew Virgil will remember his quiet nature, his attentive ear, and his witty sense of humor.

He is survived by his sons: Scott (Terri) Swenson of Willmar, Kent (Jennifer) Swenson of Fredericksburg, VA, Ryan (Cindy) Swenson of Minneapolis, and Corey (Lori) Swenson of Colorado Springs, CO; six grandchildren: Shaundel (Travis) Hanson, Cameron (Aimie) Swenson, Arianna Swenson, Isabella Swenson, Ryan Swenson, and Hannah Swenson; and five great-grandchildren: Zach, Izaiah, and Kylie Rudolph, Kage Hanson, and Anders Swenson.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives: Phyllis in 1993 and Betty in 2018; and his siblings: Floyd “Bud” Swenson, Peggy Kriese, and Ronald “Sonny” Swenson.

Virgil’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Compassionate Cottage for their kindness, compassion, and exceptional care.

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