Marilyn I. Swart, 88, of Minnetonka, MN, (formerly of Winona, MN; Minot, ND, and Carrington, ND) died Friday, February 9, 2018, at Methodist Hospital, St. Louis Park, MN. 

Marilyn Ida Lyman was born in New Rockford, ND, on October 21, 1929, the second daughter of John H. and Lazetta (Klemstein) Lyman of Grace City, ND.  Growing up, she helped on the family farm and was very active in 4H.  After high school in Grace City where she graduated at the top of her class, she attended North Dakota State University where she majored in Home Economics. 

She married Lowell D. Swart, also of Grace City, on March 25, 1949, and remained married for 60 years until Lowell’s death in 2009.  Marilyn was kept very busy raising their four boys but found time to be an active member of the Carrington Federated (United Methodist-Congregational) church and worked part-time for the NDSU Research Extension Center in Carrington.  In 1978, Marilyn and Lowell moved to Minot, ND, when he became the manager of Souris River Telephone CO-OP and she became an active member of the Vincent United Methodist Church and a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.  Upon Lowell’s retirement in 1988, they moved to Winona, MN, to join their son Mark in the Nursery business. 

She enjoyed traveling with Lowell around the United States and to Japan where their son Ronald was stationed with the U.S. Navy.  They both loved sailing and sailed lakes and oceans from tiny Lake Juanita in ND to Lake Sakakawea, Lake Superior, Lake Pepin, the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, off-shore Florida, Catalina Island and even a New England 3-mast clipper ship cruise.   

Marilyn is survived by her sons Ronald (Masako) of Canton, GA, Mark and Edward of Winona, MN, and Loren of Minnetonka, MN; 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; her older sister Jeannette Evensen and younger brother Roger (Diane) Lyman.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lowell, parents John and Lazetta, brother Harvey Lyman, and sister Donna Rodacker. 

VISITATION:

One hour prior to the service at the church.

FUNERAL SERVICE:

Monday, February 19, 2018, at 10:30AM in Federated Church UCC/UMC, Carrington, ND

BURIAL:

Grace City Cemetery, Grace City, ND