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   Marcella “Marcie” Swenson Marcella “Marcie” Swenson, 89, was born Marcella Kathleen Sporcic on October 20, 1936, in South St. Paul, Minnesota. Marcie passed away peacefully on August 11, 2026. She spent the last couple of years of her life at an assisted living community in Hackensack, Minnesota.

 Marcie was a woman who loved deeply, worked hard, and lived life on her own terms. At just 17 years old, she married the love of her life, Arlen Swenson. Together they shared 65 years of marriage, raised six children—five boys and one girl—and built a life centered around family.

   Marcie and Arlen began their married life in St. Paul and eventually bought their first home in Roseville, Minnesota. Marcie wanted to be home with her children during the day, so she worked evening data-entry jobs while raising their family.

   In 1973, the family moved to Hackensack, Minnesota, where they began a new chapter running Green Roof Lodge. Life at the resort was a true family affair. Everyone had jobs and responsibilities, and everyone pitched in. Marcie loved those years—not only because she had her family around her, but because she loved the work and the life they were building together. 

    Marcie continued to be a familiar face in the Hackensack community throughout the years. She worked at the Yellow Brick Road and, in her later years, at Woman Lake Lodge, where she was known as the doughnut maker. She enjoyed working, staying busy, and being around people—something that remained a part of who she was throughout her life. 

For the last 40 years of their marriage, Marcie and Arlen spent their winters in Texas. There, Marcie once again found a way to bring people together. She became the activities director at their park and spent many years organizing gatherings, parades, dinners, live music, and other events. She loved making sure people had something to look forward to and, most importantly, that they had someone to enjoy it with. 

Marcie was independent, strong-willed, fiercely loyal, and proud of her family. She loved with great passion and was always ready to stand up for the people she cared about. She could be gentle and loving, but she could also be fierce when she needed to be—and her family wouldn’t have wanted her any other way.

   She loved music and live theater and enjoyed line dancing, cribbage, cards, and games. She even taught herself to play the guitar. She loved being around people, staying busy, having fun, and making memories. Her greatest joy, however, was her family.

   Marcie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Arlen; her son, Scott; her granddaughter, Katie Jo; and her uncle, Steve. 

   Marcie leaves behind her loving children, Jeff (Casey), Kerry (Chris), Tim (Lori), Lora Huston (Greg), and Christopher (Gina); her grandchildren, Christina (Greg), Shaun (Andrea), Suzy (Ben), Dustin (Julie), Daniel, Lisa (Brad), Sarah, Zak (Brittney), Adam (Leah), Megan, Hayden (Kaylee) and Hadley (Cole); her great-grandchildren, Adyson, Camdyn, Keegan, Bryson, Avriel, Aunika, Maddie, Katie, Brynn, Liam, Reece, Riley, Holly, Quinn, Brooke, Audrey and Max; and her great-great-grandson, Boden, along with many friends and extended family members who were blessed to know her. 

   Marcie’s greatest legacy isn’t something she owned or something she accomplished. It is the family she built, the people she loved, and the memories she left behind.

   A funeral service celebrating Marcie’s life will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at Union Congregational Church, 104 Lake Ave. Hackensack, Minnesota with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will be provided following the service, with interment at Hillcrest Cemetery in Hackensack, Minnesota.

Arrangements entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home Walker, MN. Online condolences or the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com.

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