Clark Holger Swenson, age 85 of Buffalo, died June 8, 2021 from complications of Lewy Body dementia.
The oldest of three children, Clark was born at home on April 5, 1936 in Jeffers, MN to Holger and Tonie Bernice (Aslagon) Swenson.
Clark graduated in 1954 from Paynesville High School and went on to compete in track, specializing in high jumping, at St. Cloud State University, where he also earned his BS in English and history education in 1958 and Masters Degree in English in 1962.
After teaching for one year in Melrose, MN, he accepted a job at Buffalo High School where he remained for 36 years, coaching track, directing numerous plays and teaching in the English department.
Clark met his wife Karen while teaching at Buffalo High School and together they raised three children. Always a quiet, patient, soulful man, he loved his wife, children, grandchildren unconditionally, and found God and spirituality in church, in literature, in nature and being with friends and family.
In the fall of 1970, Clark, and friends, founded the Wright County Community Theatre with a production of Li’l Abner, followed by other community plays in Delano and Maple Lake.
Clark wasn’t afraid to take risks and choose difficult, often controversial plays for state contests and productions, resulting in numerous accolades from directors and theatres throughout the state.
His accomplishments in theatre were many, but he was always most proud of his casts and crews; he expected much and stretched them to near breaking points with challenging material, but they always gave back 100%.
Clark, a true Renaissance man, loved all the arts, classics, photography, sports and the outdoors. He was happiest taking family photos, making yearly albums, directing plays and photographing, taping and cataloging each, camping in the boundary waters, fishing, entering fishing contests, picking bittersweet, hunting deer, sitting in duck blinds and photographing every fish, goose, deer and duck he saw.
A small corner of land on Lake Linka between Brooten and Glenwood, MN that his grandfather Gunvald Aslagson bought 103 years ago, and where a family cabin now sits, afforded him hours of family and nature’s wonders. Several cabin owners humorously commented that they set their watches by Clark’s daily fishing hours.
Clark was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Margo
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Karen; daughter, Mara (former son-in-law Jeff) of Buffalo, MN; sons, Grant (Melany) of St. Augusta, MN and Leif (Jenna) of Minnetonka, MN; grandchildren, Jordan, Makenna, Ari, Jonah, Isla, Ryder, Zarik; great granddaughter, Payton; sister, Jan Erickson (Clay Nicles) of Plymouth, MN; brother-in-law, Dane (Claudia) Wobschall of Waseca, MN; nieces, Brittany Wobschall of South St. Paul, MN and Megan Wobschall of Rochester, MN.
His family will bury his ashes later this summer in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Brooten, MN.
Memorials will be donated to Minnesota youth theatre education programs and Lewy Body Research.
A celebration of Clark’s life will be held on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 3:00 PM, with visitation one hour prior, at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo, MN. A meal and memory sharing will follow at 4:00 PM.
“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with one another the sense of what it is to be a human being.” Thorton Wilder – playwright
Karen, my thoughts and prayers. Not only a relative but my tenth grade English teacher. I understand your numbness at this time. Please a cup of coffee in a month.
Love to you and family,
Shelley Swenson Held
Sorry to hear of Clark’s passing, Karen. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. So many good memories of Clark living with us when he first came to Buffalo. Was blessed to have him as a teacher, coach and mentor.
Oh, Karen, I am profoundly sad at Clark’s passing, never having been able to thank him for the profound effect he had on my life. My career choices right down to the Jaguar I drive. I would love to connect with you next time I find myself in Minnesota. You are in my prayers.
So sorry for your loss.
Clark was my 10th grade English teacher and Junior High track coach, always had the highest respect for him.
You are in thoughts and prayers.
Mr. Swenson was my English teacher also at BHS. My sympathies to his family.
Dear Karen & family, Our girls have such good memories of Clark’s direction in the 1 Act plays, and being in Grease and The King & I. Thank both of you for your guidance and exposure to the fine arts and music that are so important to our youth during these informative years and to the success of their careers. You have our deepest sympathy. The Dixon’s
Clark was such a great teacher as well as a fantastic drama coach. I would like to convey my condolences to Karen and his children. He truly left his mark on so many Buffalo high school graduate. Class of 1968
Clark was such a great teacher as well as a fantastic drama coach. I would like to convey my condolences to Karen and his children. He truly left his mark on so many Buffalo high school graduates. Class of 1968
Karen, I am so sorry to hear of Clark’s passing. 52 years later I still have great memories of my English class with him. The unit on Mythology was the best! In so many ways Clark was truly one of the best teachers ever in the BHM school district. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Karen, I just heard the news about Clark and so very sorry for your loss. Mr. Swenson’s English classes were always my favorite. He stimulated creativity like no other. I also worked on many of his one act plays and loved the wonderful performances he got out of my fellow students. We were always very competitive. All the different forms of dementia are so hard on families, and ours knows that from experience. It takes a tremendous toll. Please take care of yourself.
Dear Karen and family, The Minkler’s are saddened and sorry for your loss. We have fond memories of Clark and all of you as friends and neighbors. Clark is now inn a better place.
God bless all of you. Louise & Mark
Dear Swenson Family, My sincere sympathy to all of you. Losing a loved one is very difficult. Some of my favorite memories of Clark are when he and Sandy would reload their shotgun shells (to save money, of course) in our lower level and listen to all the stories about hunting and fishing. May you and your family cherish all of your memories also. RIP Clark.
Mr Swenson was my favorite teacher in High School. He always made you give him your best. I loved his Mass Media Class. He was always teasing us students to make us smile. There are a few teachers who left an impression on you and he was one of them.
Karen, I just read Jean Ann’s message that your husband passed away. I’m sending my love and prayers to you and your family.
Dear Karen and family, I am so sorry for your loss, Clark had such a full and vibrant life, and he obviously loved his family very much. With sympathy, Karen Swart
Dear Swenson Family: We are sorry to hear of Clark’s passing. He left a wonderful legacy in the BHM schools. May you all find solace in knowing this community loved and appreciated Clark. God Bless! The Kjesbos
Karen and Family, I just learned of Clark’s passing tonight, 22 June, from my sister in Minneapolis. Clark was one of the most influential mentors in my personal and professional life. When I won a teaching award at the University of Rochester and had to write an essay for publication about “How I Teach,” I chose five key models for how a great teacher can change lives. Clark was one of those. He introduced me to the musical theater through the Drma Club trips, gave me my first chances to musical direct productions, and together we founded the civic theater in Buffalo. I learned more from those experiences and his example than from any course at Macalester or at Yale. And although I was his student, he treated my alike a kid brother — invited me to his family’s cabin outside of Paynesville to fish and hunt, and I reciprocated on our farm outside of Buffalo. Although deeply saddened by news of his death and full of sympathy for those of you who loved him, I am immensely grateful for the blessing he was and remains to me. Rest in peace, my teacher, friend, and mentor.
So sorry to hear about Clark’s passing. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Karen and family, what a blessing to have been in Mr. Swenson’s English class AND in three of his productions! Clark made literature and theater come to life. His influence rippled through to my students in my 43-year career and to thousands more through the other students who became teachers! What a legacy Mr. Swenson left!
Dear Leif and family,
We are so sorry to learn of your father’s passing. He sounds amazing! So many people were changed for the better through encounters with him. What a rich, full and blessed life he lived. Our hearts go out to you all.
Dear Karen and family, I am so sorry to hear of Clark’s death. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you.
I am so sorry to hear of Clark’s passing. As a teen-age, second cousin, I idolized Clark and was thrilled when he allowed me to accompany him on short fishing expeditions on Lake Linka. I admired his interest in the education and the theater and his determination to stay abreast of what was current. He will be missed.
Dear Swenson family,
I have always felt blessed growing up with you guys as Neigbors and as Friends. Clark will be missed he was always such a nice guy and so full of information.
I had the privilege of teaching with Clark (and Karen) at BHS for two years 1975-78. Clark always impressed me with his inquisitive mind and wide interests. Of all the faculty, Clark looked the most “academic” as he puffed his pipe in the faculty lounge. That’s how I’ll remember this dear fellow.
I am so sorry about this loss. I have been living with the Swensons for half a year 99/00 and had the best time of my life. I wish I would have stayed more in touch. Clark if you can see this – and also Karen: I wish you all the best.