Sylvia Marion Swierczek

August 10, 1924 - October 7, 2021

Sylvia Marion Swierczek passed away peacefully on October 7, 2021 at the young-at-heart age of 97. She was born on August 10, 1924, to Joseph and Mary Horak Jarolimek of Merrillan, WI, and spent her early years on the family farm during the Great Depression. Sylvia loved music and dancing all through her life; she enjoyed dancing and singing to her brothers' concertina music at different venues. As a young lady, Sylvia was a free spirit, hitch hiking to the Twin Cities Prom Center to see Benny Goodman and his Orchestra and going off to college majoring in Mathematics. She changed course after a year when she met her love and future husband, Theodore Swierczek. They married in 1945, before Ted left to serve in WWII. Soon afterwards, Sylvia became a "beautician" and mother. The newlyweds stayed in Ted's hometown of Chicago IL for 9 years before moving to Minnesota in 1954. Ted and Sylvia were owners of Waite Park Foods or "Ted's" on 36th & Johnson St. NE Mpls until 1967. They had four children, Thomas (Karen), Timothy, Joseph (Helen), and Mary (Dean Harts). In 1975, Ted and Sylvia moved to St. Anthony Village where they lived for 31 years. Through the years they enjoyed their card club friends, and trips to Canterbury Downs. Sylvia was always happy to help anyone and often gave rides to anyone in need of one, including hitch hikers. She was a loving wife and mom, a loyal friend, and a devoted grandmother. Later in life, Ted and Sylvia lived at New Perspective, Columbia Hgts, where they celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary shortly before Ted passed away in 2011. For the following 10 years, Sylvia kept her old friends but made many new ones at her residence. She was a grateful, friendly, loving, and funny woman. We feel like she had extended family in the staff that worked with her through the years, and we are grateful for the love and joy that she found with them. Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband Ted, son Timothy, and brothers John and Jim. She is survived by 3 children, 4 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial to be held Thursday, December 2nd, 11AM with visitation one hour prior, at the Washburn-McReavy Hillside Chapel. A private family interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.