Mary Ellen Swendsen, 93, Bismarck formerly of McClusky, ND died Thursday, June 2, 2016 at the Baptist Health Care Center in Bismarck.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 6 at Zion Lutheran Church, 413 East Avenue D, Bismarck, ND.

Visitation will be Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. public prayer service at Zion Lutheran Church, Bismarck, (413 East Avenue D)

Burial will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the McClusky City Cemetery, McClusky, ND.

Mary Ellen Swendsen was born on February 17, 1923 in McClusky, ND to Herbert and Helen (Booth) Prince. The family lived in Jamestown during her grade school years prior to moving to Finley, ND where she attended high school for two years. The family moved to McClusky in 1939 and she graduated from high school there in 1941. Mary Ellen married Carl Swendsen on March 15, 1942 near McClusky. They lived in the McClusky area most of their married life. They moved to Hettinger in 1976 and to Bismarck in 1980. Carl died on February 6, 1981. Mary Ellen was a clerk at the Burleigh County Register of Deeds office and retired in May 1988. She continued to live in Bismarck.

Mary Ellen was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church where she belonged to the LWML, Cradle Roll, and as a Stephen's Ministry volunteer. She also volunteered at MedCenter One and at Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Mary Ellen loved to read, work crossword puzzles and play games. Her favorite trips were to the Northeastern states in the fall of the year and to the Rocky Mountains especially the Glacier National Park area. The jazz song "I Hear A Rhapsody" was her and Carl's favorite.

Mary Ellen is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Albrecht of Bismarck; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Linda Swendsen, Pierre, SD; grandchildren, Lauri (Gordy) Nord, Lisa Schmidt, Beth (Ross) Gailfus, Erik (Angie Burris) Swendsen and Dawn (Jerad) Seurer; great-grandchildren, Derek (Cathy) Stout, Tom Nord, Kathryn (Brett) Zeltinger, Nolan Schmidt, Ben Gailfus, Jada and Vanessa Swendsen, Madison, Lauren and Brooklyn Seurer; step grandchildren, Natalie (Jeff Hintz) Albrecht, Gayle (Darren) Albrecht; step great-grandchildren, Brandon and Dalton Albrecht and Dylan Hintz; brothers, Edward Prince of McClusky, Dean (Betty) Prince of Bismarck, Herbert (Marilyn) Prince of Heber Springs, Arkansas, Jim (Lill) Prince of Wheatland, WY; sisters, Jo Sparrow of Bismarck and Andrea (Jerry) Kluck of Bismarck. Surviving in laws include Ellen Swendsen, Ivan Nodolf and Rod Bailey.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; husband Carl; two infant sons; sister, Polly Sparrow; son-in-law, Darryll Albrecht; grandson-in-law, Pat Schmidt; sisters-in-law Evelyn Prince and Patsy Prince; brothers-in-law, John Sparrow and Edgar Sparrow.

Online condolences may be viewed or written at www.hertzfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements pending with Hertz Funeral Homes, McClusky, ND.