Doris Lillian Swedberg

Doris Lillian Pearson Swedberg died on Saturday morning, August 19th at Allure of Pinecrest. She was born in Kittson County, MN on December 29, 1924 to Oscar Elmer Pearson and Annie (Hicks) Pearson.  She was the youngest of 6 children, all of whom predecease her.

Dori enjoyed music, theater, and drama.  She graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter, MN, where she met her husband, Richard Swedberg.  They were married on December 9, 1946. They served Lutheran congregations in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, Kent City, Michigan, Andover and Mt. Morris, Illinois.

Dori and Richard were blessed with 7 children:  Mary Beth Vizer (deceased), Miriam (Harry) Buysse of TN, Jean Whipple of Byron, Carol Ann Johnson (deceased), Rev Joel (Marylou) Swedberg of MN, Katherine (Jeff) Grant of MN, and Dr Amy (Tom) Hinrichs of WI.  She is survived by 11 grandchildren: Emily (Tim) Thomas, Major Matthew Vizer, Ryan Buysse, Nathan (Jennifer) Buysse, Annie (Nathan) Selander, Jacob (Amy) Johnson, Caleb (Anneke) Johnson, Derek (Leslie) Swedberg, Luke (Jaymie) Swedberg, Dr Stephanie Grant, and Tony (Karissa) Grant.  Dori is survived by 22 great grandchildren with more on the way.

Dori loved the Lord, her family, friends, and the many students she taught in English and Literature Classes, coached, and directed in drama class and plays. Late at night while her children slept, Dori created plays, dialogues, and skits. For church camps and celebrations, she included scripture and shared her deep faith in the Lord.  The skits and plays for school and community theater were often written for the specific personalities and acting abilities of her available cast members. She was creative, artistic and her sense of humor was evident in her dialogues. She was dedicated to perfection in her play direction and never complained about the late, long hours of rehearsals. Directing brought her great joy.

Mom loved to laugh!  Many will remember her for her contagious laugh and her sense of humor.

Dori sewed for her children, grandchildren and even their dolls.  In her later years she sewed quilt tops for Lutheran World Relief through her church.

After Richard’s death in 2004, she sold their home and moved to MN where she lived for 9 years before returning to IL in 2013.  Doris moved to Pinecrest in January of 2022.

She was a member of Illinois Retired Teachers Association and All Saints Lutheran Church. In previous congregations Dori was an inspirational speaker for LCW retreats and she participated in and led women's Bible study groups.

Dori was predeceased by her husband, parents, 5 siblings, daughters Mary Beth Vizer and Carol Ann Johnson and son-in-law Robert Whipple.

The family would like to thank the staff at Allure of Pinecrest for their care of Dori, and to Serenity Hospice who helped make her last few days on earth peaceful.

A Memorial Service will be held at All Saints Lutheran Church in Byron, IL on Saturday, October 21st at 2 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorials be given to the American Bible Society or Serenity Hospice and Home.

Finch Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

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