Mary Jo Ann Swanson, 71, of Leeds, ND passed away on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at the Towner County Living Center in Cando after a long battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Cando Assembly of God Church in Cando, ND. Visitation will be held at the Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home on Monday, November 7, 2011 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm with a prayer service at 8:00 pm. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Leeds Cemetery in Leeds.

Mary Jo Ann O'Connell was born August 13, 1940 in Brinsmade, ND, the daughter of Ambrose (Mike) and Martha (Witmer) O'Connell. She was raised and attended school in Brinsmade. She moved to Leeds in 1951 and graduated from Leeds High School in 1958. After graduation, she worked at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake and at a hospital in Phoenix, AZ. She was united in marriage on January 9, 1960 to Sherman Swanson in Devils Lake. They made their home on the family farm in Leeds. The couple wintered in Arizona, and she loved to square dance and enjoyed watching her grandchildren's activities. She was looking forward to becoming a great-grandmother in December of this year.

Mary Jo is survived by her husband: Sherman Swanson of Leeds, ND; children: Mark (Cindy) Swanson of Cando, ND and Tim Swanson of Apple Creek, OH; grandchildren: Samantha (Marco) Gerardo of Cando, ND, Shawn (Lexie) Swanson of Fargo, ND, Matt Swanson of Cando, ND, Jeni Swanson of Cando, ND, Kaylin Swanson of Apple Creek, OH; brothers: John (Darlene) O'Connell of Hemmet, CA, Ambrose (Mickey) O'Connell of West Hills, CA; and sister-in-law: Shirley O'Connell of Simi Valley, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Emmett O'Connell.


Condolences:

Please accept my sympathy on the loss of Mary Jo in your lives for now. It was only last weekend that Gertrude O'Connell Dunham and I were sharing O'Connell memories and talking about Mary Jo and those good old Brinsmade days. My parents, Dick and Toots Marsaa,also enjoyed many good times with Mary Jo and Sherman at the Leeds Golf Course. How blessed we all were by Mary Jo. Donna Marsaa Lemar



DEAR FAMILY,

I WAS SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT MARY JO!! WE WERE CLASSMATES IN LEEDS!! MY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS WILL BE WITH YOU & YOUR FAMILY!

LOVE & PRAYERS.,

SHERILYN JULSON



Dear Sherman & Family,

My thoughts and prayers are with you,Mark,Tim and their families today and always. Mary Jo was a wonderful person and I am sure she will be missed by all.

Love & Prayers To You All,

Kelly, Ed & family





Dear Sherman & Family,

My thoughts & prayers are with you. Mary Jo was like a real sister to me not just a sister in law. I am so glad I was able to see her in September. We had a wonderful visit and I will miss her and our talks so much..

Love & Prayers,

Shirley O'Connell



Dear Sherman and Family,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Mary Jo was my closest friend in high school. Her bubbly personality is unforgettable. We've kept in touch over the years; she never forgot our wedding anniversary or my birthday. Today there is an empty spot in my heart. I will miss her dearly.

Love and Prayers,

LuWanna (Brower) and Jerry Miller



Sherm, Mark, cindy and all the family.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you at this difficult time.  We were unable to make it to a service for Mary Jo, but thought of you guys in our prayers.  Hope this finds you all doing well and remembering god will comfort you at this time.

Prayers to each of you.

Jeff Renae Tanner Danika Brenna and Shaylee Carpenter



Shermie,

Please accept my thoughts and prayers as you grieve for the loss of your wife.

A childhood friend

Gary and Carol Johnson



One the finest ladies I have ever met!  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Swanson family.

Mike, Sherry, and Cole Boehmer



Sherman,

I was so sorry to see in the Devils Lake Journal of MaryJo's death.  I didn't realize she had been ill.God called her years to soon.  My condolences to you and the family.

Ann Arneson



Dear Sherman, Mark, Tim, and family,

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am sorry my condolences are so late, but it came as such a shock and my favorite aunt, Mary Jo, passed away on my birthday. I thought I had lots of years left to see her and was not aware she was ill.  She was the kindest, most thoughtful person I ever knew. I will miss her everyday and my thoughts and prayers are with all of you on the loss of your wife, mother, and grandmother. I have so many fond memories beginning with her babysitting me, teaching me to blow bubbles with my bubble gum, watching endless cowboy movies on tv in California, and watching her get ready for dates with Sherman while she let me try on her lipsticks.

Love and Prayers, Shannon & Mary Duerr