Sylvia Ann Swede

Growing up in LeSuer, Minnesota Sylvia sang in her church choir, her school choir, and the "Merrie Melodies", an octet that won honors in state competition. Sylvia's interest in music continued during her undergraduate days at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. " I've always just loved music", she was fond of saying.

Sylvia came to Rochester after teaching seven years in Windom, Minnesota. She taught 8th grade English for over thirty-eight years, finishing her career at John Adams Junior High School. Her only break was to earn her Masters of Library Science degree from the University of Iowa in 1971-72. During her years in Rochester, her musical interests focused on the Rochester Symphony Orchestra and the Rochester Music Guild. She was a season ticket holder of the Minnesota Orchestra for many years.

Other community organizations claimed a share of Sylvia's time and energy as well. She was involved in Community Food Response, Friends of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Rochester Area Retired Educators (RARE) and PEO (a philanthropic educational organization for women). She served First Presbyterian Church as an active member of their Chancel Choir, Mission Committee and as facilitator of Presbyterian Women for several years. She also became Moderator of Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area. She served as president of several community organizations, including PEO, Rochester Educational Association (REA), Rochester Area Retired Educators, and Delta Kappa Gamma (an international honor society of women educators that promotes professional and personal growth of women educators).

Sylvia was also a world traveler. Her international ports of call included South Africa and China as well as nearly every European country. Among her favorite destinations were the Christmas markets of Europe which she and her friend, Donna visited numerous times. She served on mission trips to Venezuela, Hungary (5 times!), and the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation in Devil's Lake, North Dakota. Three times she visited Cuba working on a partnership between First Presbyterian Church and a church in Matanzas, Cuba.

Sylvia's life was filled with intellect, curiosity, and philanthrophy. Her greatest joys were a good conversation, a good book, or a good meal. Her positive spirit was endless and inspiring. Despite physical limitations in her later years, her indomitable spirit persevered. She was delighted to be able to celebrate her 90th birthday in August of this year with friends and family. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Survivors include her sister (Celia) Jean Koch, brother Benjamin Swede (Cindi), nephews Kyle Koch, Gregory Swede and Grant Swede, and nieces Amy (Koch) Polacek, Debra (Swede) Oman and JoAe (Swede) Young.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at First Presbyterian Church in Rochester, Minnesota. Sylvia asked that any donations be made to Channel One in her memory.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Swede family.