Elizabeth (Betty) M. Swartz

Published November 08, 2017 at 6:56 PM

Elizabeth (Betty) M. Swartz, age 78, went to the open arms of Jesus on Saturday, November 4 at 6:30 a.m. Betty was born February 4, 1939 in Devils Lake, ND, the oldest of 10 children, the daughter of George and Irma (Hanson) Ziegler. She was baptized in the Catholic faith. A faith that sustained her all her life, even at the worst of times.

Betty grew up on the family farm, attended country school in Noonan Township and graduated from St. Mary's Academy in Devil's Lake in 1957. She married Frank Kirchoffner and the couple moved to Crookston, MN. On October 15, 1977 she married LeRoy Swartz.

Betty worked in the secretarial field for 29 years. In Crookston she worked at the West Polk County ASCS Office, the Northwestern Mental Health Center and the Office of Christian Service at the Diocese of Crookston. She was chosen as Secretary of the Year in 1984 by the local chapter of Professional Secretaries International. She retired in 1993.

Betty enjoyed sewing, quilting, painting, making greeting cards, playing cards, traveling, reading, Imagehunting, fishing and best of all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Loving family members include her son, Steven Kirchoffner(and his wife Julie), Grand Forks, ND; daughter, Joan Coauette, St. Paul, MN; four grandchildren, Ben(and his wife Jenna), Elliott, Mindy(and her husband Jared), and Nathan; five great-grandchildren Emma, Colin, and Jasper Sachs, Axel and Cameron Coauette . Also surviving are sisters Lois Vestch(and her husband John), Coleharbor, ND; Margie Ringling(and her husband Ray), Lake Andes, SD; Karen Olson(and her husband Allen), Harvey, ND. Surviving brothers are David Ziegler, Baraboo, WI; Bill Ziegler(and his wife Diana), New Rockford, ND, Don Ziegler, Washburn, ND; Roger Ziegler, Aurora, CO; and Ray Ziegler(and his wife Terri), Bismarck, ND, and many other relatives.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband LeRoy; father, George Ziegler; mother, Irma Ziegler; and brother, Martin Ziegler.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Betty Swartz will be at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston on Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 1:00 pm. with visitation one hour prior to service. Burial will take place at a later date at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis next to her husband LeRoy.

Arrangements made by the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception or the Villa St. Vincent Nursing Home.