Northwest Minnesota Foundation Receives $360k Bequest From Red Lake Falls Farmer

BEMIDJI, MINN. — Charles Swanson, a Red Lake Falls, Minn., farmer bequeathed a gift of just over $360,000 to the Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF). The foundation is a Bemidji-based charitable foundation serving 12 Northwest Minnesota counties by investing resources, facilitating collaboration and promoting philanthropy.

Charles Swanson was born in 1926 in Red Lake Falls and attended church and high school in St. Hilaire, Minn. He graduated in 1947 from the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, Minn., served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and then returned home to run the Swanson family farm, which bordered Red Lake and Pennington Counties. He raised livestock, small grains, and enjoyed the farm life.

Photo courtesy nwmf.org.

In his spare time, he liked reading, bird-watching and traveling. Long-time Red Lake Falls resident Allen Bertilrud said that Swanson was not well known; he was a quiet, private man who kept mostly to himself.

“It is gratifying when people choose to help us fulfill our mission to make the region a better place to live and work,” said Nancy Vyskocil, NMF president. “We will honor this gift and represent the values and hard work of Charles Swanson.”

Swanson’s financial advisor, Pat Thibert of Edward Jones, was instrumental in connecting Swanson to NMF after learning of his desire to leave a legacy that would benefit Northwest Minnesota.

Caryl Turnow, NMF senior development officer, said the staff is grateful to have good working relationships with professional advisors in the region. “Many people learn about how they can partner with the work done at NMF through our network of accountants, financial institutions and attorneys,” said Turnow. “It’s wonderful when a person like Charles comes forward to help us with such a generous bequest. It will continue to improve the quality of life in our region for years to come.”

If you would like to make a gift to the NMF general endowment please visit www.nwmf.org and click donate.