LINNEA SARWINSKI May 28, 1928 – Feb. 16, 2018
Linnea Sarwinski, age 89, died peacefully on Friday, February 16, 2018. She was born May 28, 1928 in Genoa, Nebraska, to John and Emma Swanson. She is survived by her children, Greg (Georgia), Anna (Tom), Lisa (Rex), Anita (Dave) and George, as well as seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; her sister, Sylvia Patrick, as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, George and grandson, Bobby as well as her two brothers, Ollie and Nils.
She grew up on a farm learning how to milk cows and call pigs. Her first language was Swedish. In fact, according to research done by cousins in Sweden, her lineage is traced back to Gustav Vasa, the first King of Sweden.
She attended a one room school house until 8th grade and then went on to Genoa High School graduating in 1945. She received a scholarship to attend the Grand Island School of Business. After business school, she held an administrative position with the March of Dimes during the polio epidemic. She was responsible for the distribution and placement of the Iron Lungs in the Southwest including Los Alamos.
She married George Sarwinski in 1952. They were married 64 years until his death in 2017. They moved to Los Alamos in 1957 where she chose a profession of being a full-time mother, which she excelled at. They helped raise literally every child within a three-block radius (several were their own).
Linnea was a teacher, baker, gardener, collector, friend and a saint in the eyes of her children simply because she put up with Dad’s numerous shenanigans and jokes. She supported all her kids learning to play golf, although she never did. She was a devoted Catholic and was a member of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary for 49 years. She loved playing Bingo and working the Bingo nights and the fish fries at the Knights of Columbus. She was a Girl Scout Leader and a Boy Scout Leader. One of her favorite summers was when she led the Boy Scouts at Camp May and took the name of Kabuto.
She was known for having anything needed from cookbooks, to lawn equipment, to a 1989 Swedish mattress, and unconditional love. Linnea’s love and nurturing nature knew no bounds. She will be remembered for her famous birthday pizza parties and Swedish Christmas Bread to share with family and friends. She took on life with a gentle ease, not too much worry or excitement.
Linnea was the greatest mother and grandmother we could ever have had. She blessed our lives and sacrificed every moment of hers to give to her children.
Services will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Los Alamos. A Rosary will prayed on March 7, 2018 at 7 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on March 8, 2018 at 10 AM with internment at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 3 PM.
The family of Linnea Sarwinski has entrusted her care to the Rivera Family Funeral Home of Espanola. Please visit: www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com to express and share your stories and condolences on Linnea’s memorial page.
