Local News

A long-time Litchfield public servant is being remembered today with a funeral service. Jim Swenson, who served on the Litchfield City Council and the Meeker County Board of Commissioners and numerous other boards over the years, passed away last Saturday.

Swenson grew up in Willmar, graduated from Willmar High School in 1954, attended the University of Minnesota and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. Jim and his wife, Roberta, moved to Litchfield in 1971 and Jim opened Swenson Oil. He sold his business in 1986.

Jim began working as a substitute clerk at the Watkins Post Office and worked for 20 years at the Post Offices in Litchfield, Watkins, Darwin and Cokato, retiring in 2002. Jim was active in the community and served on the Litchfield City Council and then the Meeker County Board of Commissioner for two terms.

Swenson was active on many committees over the years including: the Litchfield building and grounds, waste management, Meeker County Public Transit Board, Tri-County Public Health Board, Meeker County Extension Board, Woodland Mental Center Board, Prime West Health Insurance, ProWorks, Social Services and the State Health Improvement Plan. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and the Litchfield Lions Club.

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The Kirsten Riley Fundraiser will be on Saturday, October 19th at Shaggy’s Bonfire and Grille – south of Litchfield on Highway 22. There will be kid’s games, snacks, silent auction, raffle and door prizes from 2-to-4 p.m. and a pulled pork sandwich meal from 4-to-8 p.m.

Kirsten’s best friend, Heidi Nelson, says Kirsten was diagnosed last November with brain cancer and eventually lung and liver cancer – going through vigorous treatment, and medical expenses.

Nelson says she’s hoping a lot of people attend the benefit and support Kirsten. She says her home and those of the other benefit organizers have looked like Christmas with all of the silent auction items they’ve been stockpiling.

Jes Ellson says Sara Miller contacted her at the fair last summer and asked if she could help with organizing the benefit for Kirsten. She says they have lots of unique silent auction items, including an African safari.

Ellson says the person who get the safari will be responsible for the travel expenses to get to Africa. She says the benefit will include face-painting, rock-painting, cookie decorating, crazy hair, pumpkin carving and lots of activities for all ages.

Kirsten’s high school classmate, Sara Miller, says there’s also an account set up for Kirsten at Mid-Country Bank so you could make a donation there if you can’t attend Saturday’s benefit. She says you can also contact her if you want to make a remote bid for items on Saturday.

Miller says she can be reached at 320-241-5649. She says Crimson Edge will perform from 5-to-8 p.m.

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Highway 4 will close at the railroad tracks near the Highway 4 and Highway 12 intersection in Grove City October 21st and 22nd – according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway will be replacing track.

The work will begin at 8 o’clock Monday morning and is expected to be done by the end of the day on October 22nd. Traffic will be routed on Highway 12 and County Roads 23 and 2. The dates are subject to change depending on weather and other unforeseeable circumstances.

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