July 2024

Larry R. Swenson, 83, of Litchfield passed away at Meeker Manor in Litchfield on Friday, July 12, 2024, surrounded by his family. Memorial Services will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield and visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. The Golden Fleece Lodge #89 Masonic Club will pray at 12:30 p.m., also at the church. Beloved husband, father, grandpa ‘GPA’, greatgrandpa ‘GGPA’, uncle, cousin, dedicated friend, avid hunter and fisherman, outdoorsman, pilot, excellent cook, card player, golfer, traveler and business leader ... he was curious and passionate in all his many interests. Larry was very community minded, volunteering for Shriners Children’s Hospital and putting smiles on so many kids’ faces as Lars the Clown. He was also involved in Golden Fleece #89 Masonic Club, Rotary Club, Lions Club, and many more. Larry had a passion for helping others and enjoyed being socially connected. His career spanned from banking to many years of barbering with his father-in-law, which led to owning a barbershop on Main Street in Litchfield until he eventually pursued a different path. As an insurance professional, Larry owned and operated L.R. Swenson Insurance for many years. He was awarded number one agency and number one insurance agent multiple years in a row and enjoyed mentoring his agents to ensure their success. Larry Russell Swenson, the son of Linus and Rosella (Raad) Swenson, was born on December 8, 1940, in rural Appleton. He graduated from Ortonville High School and was united in marriage to his lifelong sweetheart Carol Steen on April 8, 1961, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Together they raised their family, residing in Willmar, Worthington and Sioux Falls before coming back ‘home’ to Litchfield in 2011. He is survived by his loving wife, Carol; son Timothy (Terri) of Litchfield and their children, Trista (Dustin) Skalberg and Eric (Annaleah); daughter Kelly (Gary) C

Dorothy “Dottie” Madsen, 100, of Litchfield passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at her home in Litchfield. Memorial services are pending. Dorothy Florence Hanscom Madsen was born June 24, 1924, in St. Paul. She was the first child of Harold Earl Hanscom, a pharmacist and pharmaceutical salesman, and Florence Kuntz Hanscom, both of Willmar. She was the elder sister of the Hanscom’s second child, Don. She grew up and was educated in St. Paul. She graduated Hamline University, having studied to be a nurse and medical technician. She was a nurse in the Navy during World War 2 and worked at Veteran’s Hospital in Minneapolis. She formed deep and lasting friendships with several of her colleagues and the women often traveled together and with her parents. By her own reckoning, she had visited all 48 of the contiguous states during her lifetime. On June 18, 1955, she was married to Marshall Nelson Madsen of Willmar, a hunting and fishing buddy of her father and her cousin, Bob McGraw, and the newlyweds settled in Bloomington and joined Hope Presbyterian Church. Their first child, Amy Louise, was born in May of 1958. Their second child, Robert Earl, was born in May of 1959. Dottie’s time and efforts were devoted to the care of her family. In 1967, the family moved to Birmingham, Ala., where they joined Second Presbyterian Church. In 1972, the family moved to Stone Mountain, Ga., and joined Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. In 1992, following Marshall’s retirement, the couple moved to Litchfield and joined First Presbyterian Church. Dottie was active in all the churches where she was a member, serving, at various time, in Presbyterian Women, the Board of Deacons, and as an elder at First (Litchfield). Dottie lived out the faith she professed. Her attention was often focused on the needs of others. Visitors would be inundated with offers of food. Rides were given to strangers. All were welcomed. She is survived by her daughter (Amy Sullivan), son-in-

Phyllis J. Larson, 89, of Litchfield passed away peacefully in her home on July 16, 2024. She was surrounded by loving family who bear the profound grief of missing her and yet rejoice that she is alive with her LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. Phyllis lived serving and loving the LORD with her whole heart, soul, and mind. She loved her neighbors as herself, leaving everyone she met better off than when she found