Zona Swenson

Zona Gail Swenson was born in Cut Bank, Montana on August 21, 1949 to Jess and Lila Pritchard. She enjoyed growing up with her three siblings, Cheryl, Greg and Barry. After graduating from Cut Bank High School in 1967, she attended college for a year in Billings before deciding to return to Cut Bank and marry her high school sweetheart, Jerry Swenson. They began their married life in 1970 on the Swenson family farm, 35 miles north of town. Although at first she was convinced he’d moved her into the middle of nowhere, she soon fell in love with country living, and the farm became her true home. In 1972, the couple had their first child, Wade. And in 1975, he was joined by their second son, Jeremy. They enjoyed raising their family on the farm. Zona maintained a beautiful yard and loved to be outside. They were very involved with a vibrant “North Country” community, and made life-long friends with their neighbors. As the boys began playing sports, Jerry and Zona loved attending their events, and the boys never had a bigger fan or supporter than their mom! Her loud cheering and big smiles during their games pretty much summed up how she loved her kids. As her sons grew up, married and had children of their own, she became a devoted grandma. She loved her grandchildren and would do anything for them. She enjoyed many days with all of them at Echo Lake, where she and Jerry had a cabin. Family dinners, fun, and laughter will always be remembered at Echo Lake and will continue to live on in the future.  In October 2021, Zona was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. She bravely battled it for over a year.  She trusted God through it all.  In the last week she was alive, her kids and grandkids sat around her and asked her what she would most want them to remember about her. She responded, “That I love you all so much. And that I’m trusting in Jesus as my Savior. And that’s what I want for each of you.” Zona went to be with her Savior on January 4, 2023.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry. Her two sons, Wade (Mandy) and Jeremy (Katie), her grandchildren, Logan, Braden, Gage, Alex, Brady, and Presley; her three siblings, Cheryl Kinder, Greg Pritchard, and Barry Pritchard. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jess and Lila Pritchard.

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, any desired donations be made to Prairie Peace Lutheran Church, Canvas Church Cut Bank, or The Wishing Well Foundation of the Cut Bank Hospital.

Memorial services will be Monday, January 16, at 1pm at Prairie Peace Lutheran Church in Cut Bank.