"Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Mark will be lovingly remembered and we will keep him and you all in our hearts. Pat and Dale"
In loving memory of
Mark Swalboski
April 21, 1977 - July 29, 2021
Mark Evan Swalboski, beloved son of Craig and Dawn Swalboski, passed away unexpectedly at his home.
Mark was born April 21, 1977 in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He attended Hawthorne, Holmes and Lincoln at Mann elementary schools, Willow Creek Middle School and Mayo High School, graduating from Mayo in 1996. He enjoyed playing baseball, serving as student manager for two seasons for the Spartans boys basketball team and being a proud member of the basketball B squad as a sophomore.
Mark held various jobs and found a home in daycare work and also with the Rochester Public Schools SACC program.
He enjoyed simple pleasures and good food, playing cards, watching ballgames of all types (especially all the Minnesota teams), and listening to the Grateful Dead, Dave Matthews, and John Fogerty. Mark loved sharing laughter and joy with all his family.
His gentle and kindly demeanor made him well-liked among family and friends.
He is survived by his parents; sisters Shannon (Aaron) of Waconia, Minnesota and Cindy (Doug) of Minneapolis; nieces and nephews Emily, Natalie, Molly, Landon and Dalton Shaw, and Adrian and Annika Stauffer; several aunts and uncles, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by grandparents Fred and Violet Swalboski and Larry and Darlene Beaudoin, cousins Ben Beaudoin and Brian Swalboski, and niece Elizabeth Shaw.
A Memorial Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 6, 2021 at Bethel Lutheran Church. Visitation is 4-8 p.m., Thursday, August 5, 2021 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral homes, 5421 Royal Pl. Rd. NW, Rochester, MN 55901 and one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Ronald McDonald House are suggested.
Private interment will take place in Milaca, Minnesota at a later date.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Swalboski family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"Greg, so sorry to hear of Mark?s death. We should not have to bury our kids. I know what you are going through as it was 11 years ago that we buried our 23 year old Ashley. If you wish to talk we are here for you and can help you through this journey. We will never forget. Ron and Jody Hanson. "
"So sorry to hear about Mark. I knew him through Craig, with whom I worked at the P-B years ago. Mark was a really good and likeable guy, and a really crafty basketball player. Craig: Wishing you, Dawn and all your family peace and comfort. -- Greg T. "
"My condolences to the entire Swalboski family on your loss."
"Craig, Dawn, and your Family sorry for the loss in your lives. Thoughts and prays. Glad I had a chance to meet him. Carry those happy memories in your heart. "
"Craig and family, I?m so sorry to ready your son passed away. Know your in my thoughts and prayers during this time. Your co-worker at the Post-Bulletin Lynne Miller"
"Dear Swalboski Family, I am so sorry to hear of Mark?s passing. I was his 7th grade English teacher at Willow Creek, and I remember him fondly as a kind, considerate young man with a gentle nature. I pray that your family will find peace and solace in the many happy memories you have with your beloved Mark. God?s blessings to all of you. Tammy Mammel"
"To the Swalboskis, I am deeply sorry to hear about the passing of the amazing Mark. It was my sincere privilege to have been his coach while he was a Mayo Spartan. He was a fantastic person and teammate and earned everything he accomplished athletically with his hard work and dedication. The entire Mayo basketball family is better because of the contributions he made as a young man. I do remember onetime asking him what he thought a ?good shot? was in basketball game and he responded ?One he could get off?- he would have fit in perfectly with the NBA. Seeing him succeed as an adult and share his gifts of compassion and empathy for others was the gift he gave to everyone he encountered in life. His ?never give up attitude? will carry on with all who were lucky to know him. I am sure he is asking God for a special request at this very moment to see the Vikings win a Super Bowl this season so Craig can write one of his great articles. Farewell on your new journey Mark and look down on us and ?look for the open shot? in heaven. Mark Glaeser "
"Craig and the Swalboski family. I never met Mark, but it sounds like he was a kind and wonderful person. Craig, you are the only person I've met in your family, but my condolences to you and your wife, Dawn, and the entire Swalbowski famiy. God Bless. Tink Larson"
"Dear Swalbowski family: I am sorry to hear of your great loss. I worked with Mark in childcare. He was a wonderful, fun person to be around. The children as well as staff loved having Mark in the classroom. He will be truly missed! Kriss Bontrager"
"Dear Craig, Dawn and the Swalboski Family, We are so saddened to hear of Mark's sudden passing. He brought great love, dedication and competitiveness to the Mayo Basketball Teams he was involved with. I could always rely on his upbeat presence to made a difference in the day. I remember first getting to know Mark at Lincoln at Mann. Even then, in the face of a difficult operation, he seemed to always attack any challenge with such a positive outlook. I'm so sorry for all of your family that shared such a great admiration for such a wonderful human being. We were blessed to have shared a small piece of our lives with him. Love, Mark and Cheryl Kieffer"
"My sincere condolences to the Swalboski family! May he rest in peace and his memories bring you comfort. Much love, Marla Battey"