Anna Sward

Anna Sward passed away on October 12, 2009 at Lakeside Nursing facility in Pine City, Minnesota, two days before her 99th birthday. She was born October 15, 1910 to James and Mary (Roubinek) Ruby in Pine City.  She was baptized at the Pine Grove Church and attended the rural Millburn School.  On June 15, 1930, Roy O. Sward and Anna Ruby were united in marriage.  When first married, they lived on the Sward family farm and had two children, Virgene and Reita.  After selling the farm, they moved and Anna worked for the Red Owl in town. Then, Roy and Anna bought a resort on Cross Lake which she ran for several years.  In later years, the resort was sold but they continued to reside on the lake.  Her family had many gatherings at the home enjoying the lake, snowmobiling, sledding, fishing, swimming and going out on the pontoon.  After selling the lakeside home, they moved into an apartment in town and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Anna’s greatest pleasure was baking for friends, family and the church.  Reading recipes were more interesting to her than reading books.  Crocheting and knitting were her favorite activities and she created sweaters for her daughters, son-in-laws and grandchildren.  Later in life, Anna developed arthritis and crocheting became her favorite activity.  She created beautiful afghans for family and lap robes which were donated through the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.  Anna was an active member of a women’s organization through her church. She is preceded in death by her husband, Roy, her sisters: Sophia Blood, Emma Haug, Mayme (Beiderman) Swartzwald; her brother Harland Ruby, one granddaughter Cindy Wescott, and her parents. She is survived by her daughters, Virgene (Harold) Wolken and Reita (Gerald) Minar, 6 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great grand children, sister-in-law Dorothy Ruby, and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The Funeral Service will be held 2 p.m., Friday, October 16th, at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Pine City with Reverend Vicki VanderVegt officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church only. Memorials are preferred to the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Women’s Ministries.