Loren Thomas Swedburg

Loren Thomas Swedburg was born October 3, 1918 to Lee Henry and Laura Ellingson Swedburg in Fort Des Moines, Iowa, while his father was serving in the US Army during World War I. After the war his family settled in Le Center, Minnesota. By now, his family had grown to include his sister Wilma and brother, Orvin. While growing up in this small town, Loren developed his interest in science and chemistry and was fascinated with learning, which he did with enthusiasm. He finished High School at age 16, and was selected by the Minnesota Board of Education to attend a year of Normal School, a teacher training program that waved tuition if the student would teach three years in a country school. Loren accepted and at age 17 began his teaching career.

In 1939 Loren enrolled at Minnesota Bible College. He completed the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1942. While attending MBC Loren met and married Melva McFarland on February 28th, 1943. (Melva often reminisced that she first saw Loren while working in the college cafeteria kitchen. Loren was coming into the room, carrying his violin case and she said, “that’s the man I am going to marry!) Moving to Rockwell City, Iowa, they ministered at the Christian Church. While preaching there, their first son, Loren Thomas, Jr. (Tom) was born on January 19, 1944.

Always hungry for learning, Loren returned to Minneapolis for additional studies at the University of Minnesota. He worked for Stevenson Buick as a dispatcher in the maintenance department. Their daughter, Wilma Jean, (Jean) was born on March 11, 1946. In 1947 the family moved to Indiana. Loren continued his education for a Masters degree at Butler Divinity College while ministering to the Lucerne, Indiana Christian Church. On April 15, 1949, they welcomed their third child, John Marc, (John).

In 1953 a call came from Nebraska Christian College in Norfolk, Nebraska. Loren joined the college as a professor and became the Dean of Education a few years later. Loren was especially appreciated by his students for skillful teaching of the book of Acts, Hebrew History, Greek, and Philosophy. In the early developing years of the college, Loren spent each week teaching and administrating, then spent weekends preaching at supporting churches promoting the college and recruiting students. Several weeks each summer were spent at youth camps. To balance family life with this need to promote the college, he often took the family along, giving us great memorable summer vacations seeing many areas of the USA.

After 31 years of service to the College, Loren retired in 1984. He continued to teach part time over the next ten years. Loren was honored as the featured speaker for the Guy B. Dunning lectureship at Nebraska Christian College. In 1996 he and his wife were honored when NCC named the library “The Loren T. and Melva M. Swedburg Library”.

In 2004, Loren chose to move closer to his daughter and family in Ohio, taking residence at Mason Christian Village. Loren continued to enjoy teaching at the village and at Christ’s Church at Mason. He also frequented the pulpit at chapel services at the Village.

Preceding Loren in death were his parents, Lee and Laura Swedburg, his wife, Melva, sister Wilma, brother Orvin, and grandson Loren Thomas Swedburg III.

Left behind to celebrate his life are his three children and their spouses: Tom & Bonnell Swedburg of Longmont, Colorado, Jean & Alan Weber of Fairfield, Ohio, John & Pam Swedburg of Moses Lake, Washington. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Kathy Ross, Wendee Haeggberg, Wade Weber, Kristi Colbert, John-Marc Swedburg, Erica Schmautz; thirteen great grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, two nieces, Laura Burkert, Carol Vargas and their families.

Loren was a man of many interests, always enjoyed chemistry, radio, hunting, and the latest technologies. No task was too difficult for him to tackle. As a young man during the depression, he plumbed and wired his parent’s house using a Sears Roebuck catalogue for his instructions. Throughout his years, he was a great conversationalist and could speak on most any subject with knowledge. Family was important to him and for ten years after their retirement he and Melva frequently traveled in their camper to visit the children and grandkids.

As a teacher, Loren showed dedication to his students. He had many stories of teaching in the rural school in Minnesota. Students from those days remembered Loren throughout his life. After Loren learned to use the computer at age 80, he enjoyed hearing from former NCC students of their ministries and activities.

Loren will be missed for his sense of humor, his patience and concern for others. He was gifted in his ability to tackle any problem. He was known for his incredible insight of the Bible and its teachings, especially from a practical application.

Loren will be buried alongside his wife, father, mother, sister, and brother at the Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday, July 15, 2016.

Memorial gifts may be given to Nebraska Christian College at Papillion, NE or The Christian Villages at Mason, OH

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.” Ps 116:15