Marian "Midge" Mae Swenson

Marian “Midge” Mae Swenson, age 92 of rural Blanchardville died on Sunday morning, April 12, 2026 at Sauk Prairie Healthcare in Prairie du Sac. Midge was born on July 1, 1933 in Darlington to Fredrick Christian & Elsie (Wyss) Hirsbrunner. She grew up on the family farm with her parents and eleven siblings in rural Darlington. She graduated from the Darlington High School. She was working at Red’s Supper Club west of Darlington when she met Harland “Swede” Swenson. They were married on October 22, 1952 at the Immanuel Church in Darlington. In 1957 they moved to Darlington. Later they began farming, returning to Blanchardville in 1960 where they farmed until retiring, but continued living in their farmhouse in rural Blanchardville until their deaths. Midge was an avid gardener, enjoyed sewing, quilting and cooking, and was a “world class” pie maker. She loved following the Badgers, Packers and the Pecatonica High School athletics. She and Harland enjoyed polkaing, and she was also a good singer. She was a member of the York Memorial Lutheran Church in rural Blanchardville. Her joy in later years was to spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Midge is survived by five children, David (Jeannette) Swenson of Blanchardville, Diana (David) Padley of Lodi, James (Ann) Swenson of Blanchardville, John (Maria) Swenson of Sun Prairie, and Jason (Lisa) Swenson of Blanchardville; eleven grandchildren, Kelly (Joel) Hermanson, Daniel Padley, Kimberly Padley, Allison (Chris) Keleny, Hannah (J J) Cory, Sarah (Noah Engelhart) Swenson, Cassie (Dylan) Schwitz, Cory Swenson, Michael (Elizabeth) Becker, Rochelle (Jon Plourde) Becker and Carissa (Cole Wehrle) Swenson; and eight great-grandchildren, Nolan Keleny, Margo Cory, Jack and Noah Hermanson, Everlee and Tatum Schwitz, and Calvin & Cale Becker; one sister Shirley Von Glahn of Belmont; two sisters-in-law Leta Hirsbrunner and Sue Watrud. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Harland Swenson who died on September 26, 2010; and siblings Paul, Art, Fritz, Bob, Eddy, Viola, Ruth, Lois, Wanda and Rosemary.

The family wishes to thank the staff at U W Health, Upland Hills Hospital, and Sauk Prairie Healthcare and Hospital for their loving care.

A visitation for Midge will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 10:00 until 12:00 PM at York Memorial Lutheran Church in rural Blanchardville at the intersection of highways 78 and 39. A funeral service will follow at 12:00pm at the York Memorial Lutheran Church. Rev. Chris Strohm will officiate. Burial will be in the York Memorial Cemetery. A catered luncheon will follow at the church. Bringing desserts to share would be welcome. Saether Funeral Service of Blanchardville is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at saetherfuneralservice.com or on the Saether Funeral Service Facebook page.