Marian Christine VanSickle was born in Henry, South Dakota, on June 28, 1908 to Frank and Emma Swanson. She was the first born of nine children.

Marianís family homesteaded about 8 miles from Henry. She grew up on this farm helping her mother with her younger brothers and sisters. Her dad farmed and the whole family helped with the farm work. They raised potatoes for a time and everyone helped pick potatoes in the big fields. Later they raised white ducks and their farm became known as the White Feather Farm. Her father also operated a Dairy in Valley City, North Dakota, for two years, so Marian and her brother sold cheese and milk door to door.

Marian recalls the time before they or anyone else in their neighborhood had a car. They went everywhere in a wagon drawn by horses. She walked to school and when she was older, she got to ride one of the work horses to school. She attended school in Henry and graduated from the 12th Grade.

Since they lived so far from Watertown, her dad only made the trip twice per year, once to sell his crops and stock up for the winter and once to buy seed for the next season. They always looked forward to his trips to town because he brought back treats for everyone.

In 1914 her dad walked to town to buy their first car. He drove home in a brand new Model T. As he approached the house, the family ran out to see the shiny, new car coming towards them. Marian remembers her dad making circles around the house while her mother tried to keep the children out of harmís way. When he bought the car they showed him the pedals, took his money and let him go. It took several circles around the house before he could figure out how to stop!
Marian was courted by her long time neighbor and schoolmate, Clair VanSickle for almost seven years before they were married in Watertown, South Dakota in 1933. They lived in Henry and rented a house for $6 per month. Clair worked as a carpenter and farmed. While they lived in Henry, they had two sons ñ Lloyd, their oldest and Donald who was born on Marianís birthday.

In 1940 Clair and Marian moved their family to Rush City, Minn., where they farmed for shares and rent. On Dec. 15, 1943, their daughter, Kay, was born. A few years later they bought a farm 3 1/2 miles southeast of Rush City. Their youngest son, Willard, was born on Dec. 20, 1950.

Marian worked in the Gladiola Fields near Harris, Minn., besides raising her family and helping on the farm. She also worked as a waitress, as a clerk in grocery stores, and finally as a cook in the Rush City Schools. She was also active in her church and taught Sunday School for many years. She was a 4-H leader while her children participated in it.

Marian remembers many stories from her childhood. When she was a girl she would get teased at school because she was Swedish and Norwegian while the rest of the kids were Irish and Dutch. Her mother taught her a little rhyme that put an end to the teasing. It went like this: ìThe Irish and the Dutch, they donít amount to much, but HOORAY for the Scandinavians!î Ironically, she married a Dutchman!!

Marian has been blessed with 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. As each one came long they brought her joy.

Clair and Marian sold their farm to their daughter and son-in-law and moved to town in 1979. Clair passed away in 1981. Marion stayed busy visiting, shopping, going out to eat, attending the Senior Center and going to church. She also kept up her work in her apartment where she lived alone until September 2003.

Marian lived and enjoyed her room, friends, family, Pastor OíShea and of course Dr. Carlton at Hillcrest Health Care Center for the past couple of years. Her loving smile will always be remembered and never forgotten.

Marian is survived by her children: Lloyd (Verna) VanSickle of Bloomington, Donald (Janice) VanSickle of Cambridge, Kay (Bob) VanAlstine of Rush City, daughter-in-law Diane (Chuck) Higgins of Rosemount, seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, brothers Albert (Merlyn) Swanson Redwood City, California, Carmen (Doris) Swanson of St. Croix Falls, Wisc., sisters Mavis (Russell) Albus of L.A. Calif., Bernice Gelden of Minneapolis, Minn., brother-in-law Lawrence Johnson of Rush City.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Emma (Kittleson) Swanson; husband Clair; son Willard VanSickle, grandson Ronald VanSickle, an infant granddaughter, brother and sister-in-law Ernest (Sally) Swanson; sisters and brothers-in-law Doris (Penny) Siebert, Lucille Johnson, Gladys (Buck) Holden and Hans Gelden.

Rev. Laurie OíShea officiated at funeral services 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rush City. Music was provided by Reverend Laurie OíShea, organist Doris Swanson and soloists Jan Goebel and Sharri VanAlstine. The casket bearers included Merle Swanson, Bob Swanson, Bob Johnson, Ron Johnson, Randy Johnson, Dick Johnson and Brian Barnes with the interment in the First Lutheran Cemetery at Rush City. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service Olson Chapel of Rush City.

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