Edith Swenson

STOUGHTON - Edith Mae Swenson, age 74, passed away Tuesday, November 12, 2013 following a brief illness. Edith was born in Stoughton on May 10, 1939 to Edward and Bernice (Danks) Olson.
Those who got to know Edith never forgot her. Tiny in stature, she had a huge heart. Her wide-ranging personality went from being silly to stubborn, from sassy to silence. She could make you laugh out loud one moment but infuriate you the next. As with all of us, she had her quirks and her ups and downs. But most of all, she was just a friendly human being. Edie, or Ma as she was called by some, went out of her way to reach out to anyone within her grasp.
Whether it was to the friends of her four cherished children, the people she'd see on vacations with Lee, the neighbors at her apartments or at the Nazareth House or even the squirrels in the trees ... Edie loved to seek out and touch others. Those who recognized her sincerity, shared many moments to remember. No laughter was better than hers when combined with that of her sister, Mary, and brother, Jim. No goofiness exceeded the times when she'd egg on Uncle Bob or Uncle Clayton. And no man ever meant more to her than Lee ("Pa").
After he passed in 1996, she lost a friend who could not be replaced. Yet, Edie moved on with conviction and pride, leaving a path of compassion wherever she went. But life can be hard when punctuated by death. Soon, Edie lost a young daughter-in-law she loved, then a dear daughter and finally her last link to daily love, Abby her cat. Two years ago, she hit rock bottom. But believers know that God works in mysterious ways. She was saved to share her now revived crazy ways with residents and staff at the Nazareth House. What a glory! A match made in heaven. God even provided a friend named, Jerry, to share coffee with in the mornings. Life was good.
Ma is with Pa now, as well as with so many other loved ones she missed. Her gain is our loss. We'll all miss you, Ma.
She is survived by her children, Jim (Kristen) of Dubuque, IA, Jeff of Janesville, and Ann (Dave) Weaver of Cedarburg; grandchildren, Jessica, Jeremy, Jenny, Jay, Shawn, and Renae; several great-grandchildren; sister and brother, Mary (Fred) Sundby and Jim (Sue) Olson all of Stoughton; and other extended relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Bernice; husband, Lee; daughter, Amy; and daughter-in-law, Jane Swenson.
Memorial services will be held at 1:30 pm, Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at Cress Funeral Home, Stoughton, with Reverend Jerry Amstutz officiating. Family will greet friends beginning at Noon until the time of service.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to Stoughton Veterinary Services, Inc., 1900 U.S. 51, Stoughton, WI 53589 in honor of Abby, her cat.