Maria Margaret Swenson (61) passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2019, at her home surrounded by family.
Maria was born on March 29, 1958 to the late Billye (Horn) and Lucian Rehders in Lynwood, California. She grew up in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and through her years in trucking she met her husband in Wisconsin. She was united in marriage to Carl E. Swenson on July 21, 2001 in Northfield, Minnesota. Carl and Maria owned and operated their own trucking business, IronHorse Stampede Trucking, and enjoyed traveling in their semi for several years. They moved to Alliance, NE in 2005 where Maria then pursued a career in helping people. Maria worked for Family Rescue Services as a client advocate. She then went on to work for the Boy’s and Girl’s Home and Family Services. She took a break in the early 90’s after earning her first degree at Winona State University to raise her children, and then returned to school to earn a degree at Chadron State College. Shortly after, she decided to open her own business, called MLCS Family Youth Services, to help those in need in the region. In 2015, she won an award for Nebraska Entrepreneur of the Year. She carried on with her business until 2018, when she decided to step back from her career due to health issues. Maria always used to say, “Sometimes all it takes is one kind person with one kind word to make a difference.”
Maria is survived by her loving husband Carl; her sons, Stephen Ring of AZ and Christopher (Diana) Swenson of WI; her daughters, Bethany (Luis) Heredia of NE and Jessica (Shandy) Swenson of MT; her grandchildren Christian, Samantha, Carson, Eryn, Isabel, Emma, Gabriel, and Laila; and one great grandson, Sebastian. Maria is also survived by her sisters; Susan (Bill) Schimberg of MI, Michelle McBriarty of FL, Becky (Russell) Johnson of NV; her brother, John (Shirley) Rehders of NM; as well as several nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.
Maria was preceded in death by her father and mother; brothers, Anthony, Jerome, and Joseph who died soon after birth; her brother-in-law, Denis McBriarty; and several aunts and uncles.
A celebration of Maria’s life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made out to a charity of your choosing.