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Violet Marie FreedlundViolet Marie Freedlund was born on June 29, 1923, in Rush Point, Minnesota. Her parents were Carl and Inga Swanson and she was the oldest of ten children. Viís grandparents were from Sweden and as a result she spoke mainly Swedish until she went to school. Vi attended the local country school through the eighth grade; after that, she stayed at home to help out with her younger brothers and sisters. She was baptized and confirmed at Calvary Lutheran Church of Rush Point. At the age of sixteen, Vi started her first paying job. She took care of the children, cooked meals, and did housework for a family in Harris, Minn. Saturday night dances were the popular weekend events for young people in the 1940ís. Vi met her future husband, Gordon Freedlund, at a dance. Vi and Gordy were united in marriage on May 26, 1945. They enjoyed going to Saturday night dances with family and friends for many years. Vi and Gordy lived in Rush City for about ten years before moving to a small farm south of Rush City. This farm was home for twenty-five years. Vi had lots of flowerbeds, a large garden, and even raised chickens. Vi and Gordy were blessed with two daughters, Shari and Vicki. Vi was a stay-at-home mom when the girls were growing up. She loved to cook and bake. There was always home baked goodies for family and friends to enjoy when they came to visit. Vi was a member of First Lutheran Church in Rush City all her adult life. She was a Sunday School teacher and helped lead Luther League. But most people will remember her in the church kitchen doing cooking and clean up. In the late 1960ís, Vi and her sister-in-law began to do inside painting and wall papering for people in the area. They received jobs by word of mouth and met many wonderful people. Vi lost her loving husband, Gordy, to cancer in May of 1979. A year later, she sold the farm and moved back to Rush City. After moving back to town, she started a new career as a baker for the local grocery store. Besides baking, she began to do catering. Vi became well-known for her delicious potato salad and turkey salad. Family and friends will always remember Vi for her dinners and coffee parties. At Christmas time, Vi liked to decorate her home and make several different kinds of cookies, breads, and candies. Vi loved to spend time with her daughters and their families. Shari and her husband, Bob Schlagel, live in Rush City. Vicki and her husband, Cyril Flansburg, live in East Bethel, Minn. The six grandchildren, Cory, Alissa, Kari Jo Schlagel, Kim, Matt and Mike Flansburg were Grandma Viís pride and joy. She was always there to watch them at school activities and church events. Vi loved to bake cookies, caramel rolls, and apple pies for her grandkids. She was known as ìGrandma Viî not only to her grandchildren but also to their friends and other family members. Vi is also survived by her sisters Delores Mold, Gloria Rolf, both of Rush City, Arlys (Douglas) Smith of Anoka, her brothers, Delbert (Florence) Swanson and Larry (DeDe) Swanson, all of Rush City, brother-in-law, Bill Peterson of Harris, sisters-in-law Vivian Swanson of Ham Lake, Bonnie Swanson of Grantsburg and Lois Swanson of Forest Lake. Vi is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Violet Freedlund was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Inga Swanson, her husband Gordon, sister Elaine Peterson, brothers Marlo Swanson, Ernie Swanson and Verilyn Swanson, brothers-in-law Ernest ìSonnyî Rohlf, Willard Mold and Myron (Marian) Freedlund. Viís health began to deteriorate after suffering some small strokes and breaking her leg in 1998. In February of 2000, she moved into an adult foster care home. Then in September of 2000, Vi became a resident of Hillcrest Health Care Center where she resided until the Lord took her to heaven on Dec. 13, 2003. We gratefully acknowledge and thank the staff of Hillcrest Health Center for the wonderful, loving care given to Vi over the past several years. You treated Mom like family. Thank you! Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rush City with Reverend Laurie OíShea officiating. Music was provided by Jan Goebel, Rev. Laurie OíShea and Doris Swanson. The casket bearers were Viís grandchildren with the interment in the First Lutheran Cemetery of Rush City. Arrangements were made by the Funeral and Cremation Services of Rush City, Minnesota. ìOlson Chapelî ©ECM Post Review |