Thomas Marvin "Tom" Swensen

Thomas Marvin Swensen, 80, of Emily, died Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Care Center in Crosby surrounded by his family.

He was born July 15, 1941 in Willmar to Harriet and Charles “Phil” Swensen.

He graduated from Swanville High School in 1959. He moved to Crosby in 1960 where he met his loving wife of 60+ years, Betty Moe. The couple married Aug. 4, 1961 and have four children. He worked as a linotype operator for the Crosby-Ironton Courier in Crosby. He became publisher of the weekly newspaper and operated it proudly for 48 years, until his health forced him into retirement.

In his younger days, he was a paper boy for the Swanville news beginning his life-long passion for news/newspapers. He was featured in the Minneapolis Sunday Tribune in its “Picture Magazine” dated Oct. 11, 1959—the youngest editor of a weekly paper in Minnesota and perhaps the United States. He bought the Swanville News on a trial basis before moving to Crosby. He was also a columnist for the Crosby-Ironton High School sports teams for decades. He was dubbed the nickname of “Scoop” by the coaching staff. The Crosby-Ironton Sports Boosters honored his sports writing career and inducted him into the C-I Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also recognized as a member of the Half-Century Club by the Minnesota Newspaper Association.

He was very active in his community serving on the Ironton and Crosby Fire Departments, member and past president of the Crosby Chamber, member of the Outing Area Chamber of Commerce, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crosby, Cuyuna Range Lions, The Over The Hills ATV Club, The Iron Range Riders ATV Club, and many more civic groups. He served on the board of the Cuyuna Range Housing, the Cuyuna Range Conservation Club and the Croft Mine Historical Park. He was the Grand Marshal in 2011 for the Crosby Fourth of July parade. He was an avid bowler and enjoyed watching the Twins and Vikings.  He loved The Celebrate Emily Day event was held on or near his birthday every year. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson, Trevor C. Johnson.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, two daughters and sons-in-law, Julee and Clayton Johnson of North Mankato and Lori and Joseph LaBorde of Crosby; two sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas and Sarah Swensen of Little Falls and William and Amy Swensen of Deerwood; one sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie and Ed Tanquist of Alexandria, 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren with one on the way in August.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 19 from 2 to 5 p.m. with a smear tournament starting at 3 p.m. at the Myrin-James American Legion in Ironton. Guests may wear plaid to honor the “plaid dad.”

Arrangements are with Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.