Randy Swensen

Randy W. Swensen, 68, of Harwood, ND, died Thursday, February 20, 2020, at MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston, TX.

Randy Wayne Swensen was born to Donald and Edna (Viet) Swensen on July 28^th, 1951, in Clear Lake, SD. He was raised in Lennox, SD, and moved to Garretson, SD, where he graduated from high school in 1969. One of his proudest moments as a young man was earning the Eagle Scout rank, an accomplishment only 4% of Scouts have attained to since its inception in 1911.

After graduating with a degree in Respiratory Therapy from Sioux Valley, he began a lifelong career in the field where he met the love of his life, Marsha Warren, in 1973. They married in 1977 and several years later, made their home in

Harwood, ND, with their four children.  Randy was employed at MeritCare/ Sanford in Fargo for 43 years.

Randy was passionate about outdoor activities, including camping, hunting, and fishing. Some of his fondest memories were made during canoe trips to the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota, with family and close friends, especially Brance Modin and Bob Nelson, sharing these peaceful times punctuated with adventure.

He served others with humility and heart, and his caring demeanor was an example to all of the way God created us to love one another.

After a year-and-a-half-long battle with acute leukemia, he passed away peacefully at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, with loved ones surrounding him in prayer and support. He fought fiercely with his cherished wife, children, and grandchildren at the forefront of his mind, and, of course, his beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, Who is called Faithful and True, Who is gentle and kind, and Who promises to wipe away every tear, bring beauty for ashes, and make all things new.

He is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Donna; and brother, Gary.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Marsha; his sons, Ryan (Loni) of Minot, ND, Nathan (Karena) of Midland, TX, Blake (Vanessa) of Jamestown, ND; daughter, Ashley (Justin) Messer of Audubon, MN; two sisters, Pat (Richard) Ramstad of Crooks, SD and Brenda (Mark) Wright of Issaquah, WA; and 12 grandchildren, Alice, Rowen, Holden, Matilda, Roland, Eliza, Otto, Flora, Fredrick, Lilah, Ivy and Harvey.

Memorial Service:   11 a.m.  Saturday, March 7, 2020, at Grace Covenant Church in Fargo.

Visitation:  6 to 7 p.m. Friday,  followed by a 7 p.m. Prayer Service  in the church.

Burial:   Oakwood Cemetery,  Harwood, ND.                

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Randy Swensen, please visit our floral store.