Allan R. Swedeen

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Allan Rodney Swedeen. He was born on July 27th, 1946 in Stanchfield, MN. Allan passed away peacefully at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, MN on Saturday, May 31st, 2025, at the age of 78. He was a loving husband to Kathy Swedeen for almost exactly 58 years. Allan was also a loving brother, father, grandfather and friend.

Allan attended the Walbo schoolhouse for grades 1-8, and attended high school in Cambridge. He graduated in 1964. He then worked for the Cambridge-Isanti school district as a custodian. As a perk to working in the school, Allan could exchange notes with a certain young lady in her locker and that’s how the romance between Allan & Kathy Swedeen began. Kathy graduated in 1966 and the two were married on June 3rd, 1967 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Cambridge.  He worked for the school district for 15 years while also working at Midland as a gas station attendant to support his growing family. Allan was an extremely hard-working man who loved country music and working on his 40-acre hobby farm with his faithful wife, Kathy (Winch) Swedeen. He and Kathy raised two daughters and one son on this farm, west of Cambridge. Making hay with his family was always a highlight of his summer. His collection of Allis-Chalmers tractors served as a practical hobby that filled various needs as well as bringing him great joy.

Country music was a passion for Allan, as he was a rhythm guitarist and singer for the local country-western band named “Half-Mile Back” that was well-known in the area. Allan also enjoyed hunting and fishing with many family members and friends over the years. Most of all, he cherished the annual blueberry picking family reunion held at Echo Lake Campground in northern Minnesota. In 1980, Allan took a full-time maintenance position for the Osseo school district and worked there faithfully for 28 years, retiring in 2008. Upon retirement, Kathy & Allan were able to enjoy a few years of traveling around the US with their pickup camper to various locations. Throughout the years, Kathy & Allan were regularly found working side-by-side on the various projects that a hobby farm requires. As time went on and Allan’s health weakened, he could be most often found in his shed, still listening to country music, occasionally yelling at his radio during Minnesota Twins or Vikings games and discussing the current news with family and friends.

Allan will be greatly remembered for his willingness to always lend a hand to anyone who needed help and also for his friendliness to everyone he met.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Lorraine (Bachman) Swedeen, infant brother, four grandchildren, brothers-in-law Dale Smith and Allan Peterson.

Allan is survived by his faithful wife, Kathy (Winch). His children, Tammy (Chuck) Seafolk, Mark (Denise) Swedeen, and Lynnea (Tony) Beberg, his brother, Lloyd, (JoAnn) Swedeen, and sisters, Yvonne Smith and Marilyn Peterson. Papa was a beloved grandpa to Matthew, Michael, Caleb, Luke, Micah, Aaron and Brianna. He also leaves behind four great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter.

Celebration of Life Gathering 4-7PM, Friday, June 6, 2025 at Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home.  Private Graveside Service at Cambridge Union Cemetery.

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