Jane Margaret Swanson

Jane Margaret Swanson passed away peacefully at Elim Care Center in Fargo, ND on July 6, 2017 under the care of Red River Valley Hospice. Jane was born on February 20, 1925 in Philadelphia, PA.

After attending high school in Havana, ND, she moved to Coeur d'Alene, ID with her sister where they helped in the war relief effort. On November 16, 1942 she married Clifford Swanson, from Kidder, SD, who was also in Idaho helping with the war relief efforts. In 1943 they returned to Kidder and began farming on the Clarence Swanson Farmstead. During their farming years she worked at the Marshall Manor Care Nursing Home in Britton, SD for over 15 years. In 1984, shortly after Tippy passed away, she moved to Fargo where she owned and operated Candy Cottage with her daughter Nancy. In 1994, Candy Cottage became Moxie Java and Piece of Cake Bakery. Jane baked until she retired in 2015 at age 90.

During her time in Fargo she touched many lives. Every Moxie Java customer and employee referred to her as Grandma Jane. She had numerous news stories and articles written about her hard work and longevity. Jane lead a life believing that hard work never killed anyone and she will be remembered fondly by all of those people whose lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Clara Selder, as well as her siblings, Sunny Sedler and Virginia Staehnke; two infant babies, son Gerald Swanson, and grandson Shea Magstadt. Jane's husband, Clifford (Tippy) Swanson, passed away on May 10, 1981. She is survived by their four children, Wayne (Kathy), Joy Magstadt (fiance Larry Helgeson), Nancy (Brent) Nerland, Cindy (Pat) Daschle and daughter-in-law, Cheryl Swanson Bosse. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the staff and nurses at Elim Care Center and the Red River Valley Hospice team. The care and compassion they provided to Jane as her journey came to an end was extraordinary. She managed to touch so many of their lives in a few short months, just as she had over the years at Moxie.

A celebration of Jane's life will be held at Hope Lutheran South Campus Chapel in Fargo, ND on Monday, July 24th. There will be a visitation from 12 pm to 1 pm, with service and fellowship to follow. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Church Cemetery, Kidder, SD.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Red River Valley Hospice or Elim Care Center, Fargo.