Events
Friday Evening Viewing
Salt Lake Wasatch Stake, 1930 south 2100 East, Salt Lake City, UtahFriday May 10, 2024 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday Morning Viewing
Salt Lake Wasatch Stake, 1930 south 2100 East, Salt Lake City, UtahSaturday May 11, 2024 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Saturday Morning Service
Salt Lake Wasatch Stake, 1930 south 2100 East, Salt Lake City, UtahSaturday May 11, 2024 11:00 AM
Interment to Follow
Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 east 1300 south, Salt Lake City, UtahSwen Russel Swensen, M.D. was born on October 17, 1937, to Russel and Beulah (Strickler) Swensen in Provo, Utah, the oldest of four children. In his youth, he learned the value of hard work, education, and fun. He attended Brigham Young Elementary, B.Y. Junior High, graduated from B.Y. High, and Brigham Young University. Swen was true blue.
As a young man, Swen was called to serve in the Swiss-Austrian Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Despite having Swiss grandparents, he was assigned to serve in Austria, which he came to love with all of his heart. His mission experience changed his life, planted a testimony in his heart, and solidified his commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It also provided lifelong friendships including the Swiss-Austrian Missionary Fireside Group which has met together in love and friendship nearly every month for six decades (and counting).
Swen lived a life of service, which he passed on through his example. He always gave to those in need and selflessly gave of himself. During his church service he faithfully served in a variety of capacities including as bishop of the Monument Park 14th Ward. Like his father, he was a gifted teacher, and, after retirement, loved serving in the Salt Lake Temple.
In 1969, Swen graduated from the George Washington University School of Medicine and then completed a residency in general surgery at the University of Utah School of Medicine. For Swen, being a surgeon and trauma doctor was, in essence, a sacred calling. Through great personal sacrifices, he gave the best decades of his life to helping those in need and in pain, regardless of who they were. There are forgettable doctors; Dr. Swensen was not one of them. He was known for his kind, bed-side manner, steady hand, humor, and dedicated service. There will be many reading these words who were cared for by Dr. Swensen, whether as a patient at his beloved LDS Hospital or as a friend or neighbor needing stitches at the kitchen table. All can attest to his warm spirit, gentleness, and the extra stitch which always helped make it “look a little better.” Swen is evidence that Christ-like service can extend to every corner of one’s life.
In Washington D.C. during medical school, Swen met Gretel Foxley who almost instantly became the love of his life. Three years later on September 4, 1970, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple and together established a family based on the gospel, love, service, and having fun. Soon they welcomed five children into their home, who knew that their father loved and supported them.
In 1993, Swen was called to return to Austria as mission president along with Gretel and their children. Through this experience, Swen extended his love and service to his beloved missionaries and deepened his love for the people and Saints of Austria as well as Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia, and Albania, whom he was also called to serve.
Swen loved his traditions including going to Newport Beach and getting donuts with his kids and grandkids. He treasured gathering his family on Christmas Eve to eat schnitzel and shrimp, read Luke 2, and sing Stille Nacht (Silent Night). Swen loved to travel and joyed in bringing his family and friends to the places he loved. He also loved adventure, which included climbing mountains with his children. The Grand Teton, Matterhorn, Kilimanjaro, and Everest Basecamp number among his proud achievements. Swen simply believed he could “have it all.” Even late in his life, as vascular dementia ravaged his mind and body, he loved to reminisce of the great adventure that was his life.
Swen passed away on May 2, 2024, at home among family. He is survived by his “angel wife” Gretel and their five children: James (Katie), Gretel (Curtis) Sampson, Kirsten (David) Corbett, Cathrine (Brennan) Snow, and Matt (Gretchen Schettler), his fourteen grandchildren (Kate [Colton], Lucy [McLain], Jacob, Anna, Sally, Maxwell, Lily, Andrew, Ella, Jack, Meg, Marta, William, Poppy) who will miss their Papa dearly, and his three siblings: Shauna Weight, Laird Swensen (Gloria), and Ann Sumner (Greg). He is preceded in death by his parents, Russel and Beulah Swensen, his in-laws Mel and Beth Foxley, his brother-in-law David Weight, and a host of family and dear friends. Somewhere in heaven the old bottle band is back, making music together again.
Godspeed dear husband, father, Papa, friend, and “Bruder.” We can’t wait to see you, healthy and whole, once again. Auf Wiedersehen.
A viewing will be held Friday, May 10, 2024, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Salt Lake Wasatch Stake, 1930 South 2100 East. Funeral services will be Saturday May 11, 2024, at 11:00 am, with a viewing beginning at 9:30 am at the same meeting house. Interment will follow at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South in Salt Lake City.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Highland High School Pantry, which serves underprivileged students and their families. https://highland.slcschools.org/community/family-support
Guestbook/Condolences
There was never a more kind, understanding, faithful and fun mission president than our beloved Präsident Swensen. I feel so blessed to have been one of "his missionaries." No one had it better than we did under his watchful care and powerful leadership. He and Sister Swensen made an impact on all of us lucky enough to have served with them. I will love them forever.
Sending all my love and prayers.
Gott sei mit dir, bis aufs Wiedershen, lieber Präsident Swensen!
Seen was a great man and dear friend. I have know him since he and my brother Rich were in med school together. Swen and Gretel have been an extension of our family. It was one incredible blessing to serve with. Swen for many years in the sealing office of the Salt Lake Temple. He was such a devoted and faithful sealer. I love you Swen and Gretel and pray that you and your family will be filled with the Peace that only comes from our Savior. God bless you all.
We cannot think of two more beautiful people than Gretel and Swen. We were so very blessed to have shared meals, tears and concerns during our Viennese adventure . We will never forget how kind you were to Zach when his mission had been changed from England to Florida! May you, Gretel, and your sweet family be sheltered in the warmth of thousands of good memories and feel the love and comfort on this, and the other side of the veil.
I am ever grateful to have known and loved my beloved cousin Swener. I was so blessed to have shared wonderful memories with him at my home in Oberammergau. Also, our dear Austrian brother, Fritz told me to send his heartfelt thoughts on loving dear Swen. Peace be with you.
God's speed bruder. We have long loved you, Gretel and your family since we first met in the basement of your family home. We all have so many fun memories of our lives together. Ron and Lorraine.
Gretel - Swen was one of the finest friends I ever had. You and he were always great to be with.
I anticipate you wrote the obituary, and I send my compliments. It was just perfect.
Look forward to seeing you this coming Saturday at Swen's funeral. My precious Marilyn is buried
in the Larkin cemetery where Swen will be.. Marilyn will love having him nearby, and I presume you and I will join the two of them when our time comes.
Best wishes to you and your children as you adjust to life without Good Dr. Swen nearby. Love, Bob
Gretel:
My love to you and your family. Swen was a true “Renaissance Man”. I so enjoyed our many discussions together. You always came away a better person after a visit with Swen. What an honor to have known the two of you. You really complimented each other.
Rex Thornton
Dear Sister Swensen and family,
It is with great sadness that we share our love with you at the passing of your beloved husband and father.
In the year 2000 our son was serving as a missionary and was at the MTC prior to his departure to the Valencia, Venezuela mission. He had emergency surgery at a hospital there in Provo to remove his appendix. He returned to the MTC and in a few days became extremely ill. We left our home in Bountiful, Utah and went down to pick him up and bring him to LDS hospital. There waiting for us was Dr. Swen Swensen. After several diagnostic tests it was determined that our son’s appendix had ruptured prior to the original surgery and an additional surgery was needed to irrigate his abdominal area of the infection that threatened his life. Dr. Swensen performed the surgery and spent countless hours watching over him and tending to his medical needs. He also brought peace and comfort to us during this time of uncertainty. Because of Dr. Swensen’s medical expertise and much fasting and prayer our son, Michael made a full recovery and was able to serve an honorable mission with no further complications. We will be forever grateful for this miracle. Our lives were forever changed because of Dr. Swen Swensen and our love and appreciation to him for his countless hours of dedication to our son, Elder Howard will never be forgotten. Thank you for sharing him with us and allowing us to create a special place in our hearts for this amazing man!
May the lord bless you with peace and comfort today and always.
Love,
Paul and Janice Howard
Dear Gretel,
Marikka and I just attended the funaral Services and send you our love. We could add many more stories about this great man and friend. We Look forward to meet him again.
We love you and pray for you. Auf Wiedersehen
Marikka und Ernst
PS: the Almdudler Company lost a customer
Dear Swenson’s, my heart hurts for you with the loss of your husband and father. I was blessed to have served my last 7 mos, which was your first 7 mos, under President and Sister Swenson in Vienna. President Swenson was my 2nd Mission President, but had had a special place in my heart. 💜 I’m sure I am not the first to say what an amazing man and father-like figure he played being away from my own father.
Thank you for sharing him with all those who were blessed to have served under him. My thoughts and prayers go out with your family during this time of loss and separation.
I was so sad to have missed the “reunion” and been there this weekend in person but the service was a beautiful tribute and celebration of his life! 🫶🏻
Hi Gretel
Just watched the funderal, heard about that way too late. Love you think of you
Please contact me that I can visit you in April.
Love and hugs
Mirjam
mirjam@malzl.at