Arlene Swanson

Arlene May McGillivray Swanson passed away peacefully October 23, 2023, at her home in Brainerd. 

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, November 2, at 11:30 a.m. at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Lunch will be served following the service. 

Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Brainerd. 

Arlene was born September 7, 1936, to Archie and Viola McGillivray in Staples. 

She grew up in Staples and married Gilbert Bartylla and together they had  seven children. 

Arlene married Sherman Swanson in 1979. They made their home in Brainerd and lived on Lake Edward in Arlene’s dream home built by Sherman. 

Arlene attended the Brainerd Vocational School years later and got a job as Administrator for the Brainerd Bricklayers Union. She was involved in the Paul Bunyan Soakers camping group for over 10 years. Arlene and Sherman traveled around the state selling their wood art.

Arlene and Sherman were certified in Foster Care through Crow Wing County and had over 40 children in their home over 12 plus years. After retirement, they traveled from coast to coast.

She will be dearly missed by Sherman, her husband of 44 years; 10 children, Deb (Al) Steffen, Sherry Bartylla, James Bartylla, Susan Renfrow, Bruce Bartylla, Teresa (Tracy) Wetzstein, Scott (Mona) Bartylla, DeAnne Churchill, Sue (Tony) Roberts; one brother, Jack McGillivray; 18 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three grandchildren, Jenna, Ryan and Bret; one sister in-law, Bea McGillivray and two sons-in-law, Mark Renfrow and Gary Bollum. 

Thank you to Good Samaritan Hospice and Home Instead Home Care for the excellent care mom received. 

Arrangements are by the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.

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