Joseph M. Swenson, 84, died Tuesday May 10, 2011, at his home in rural Blooming Prairie.

He was born June 7, 1926, in Newry Township, Freeborn County, Minn., to Carl and Rose (Wencl) Swenson. On Feb. 23, 1951, Joseph married Beverly Johnson at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie. He started work as a farm hand, and then in 1960, the couple moved to their farm home and lived there to the present. Joseph enjoyed bird watching, antiquing, gardening, and spending time with his grandkids. He especially enjoyed teasing his granddaughters.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly of Blooming Prairie; daughter, Teryl (Don) Nelson of Byron; sons, Randy (Pauline) Swenson of Geneva, Ill., and Jay (Renee) Swenson of Owatonna; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brothers, Allen (Nancy) Swenson of Brownsdale, Carl (Diane) Swenson of Blooming Prairie; sister, Rosemary “Toots” Dahl of Manly, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Sylvia Swenson of Blooming Prairie and Ardell Swenson of rural Austin; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Rose and Carl Swenson; brothers Clayton and Hubert; brother-in-law, Maynard Dahl, and one niece.

Memorial services will be held 3 p.m. Saturday May 14, 2011, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie with the Reverend Charles Leonard officiating. There will be no visitation. The family prefers memorials be made to First Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society. Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.