Orvin Johnny Sweningson

Orvin Johnny Sweningson, 95, of Winona, Minnesota and formerly of Utica, Minnesota, passed away May 31, 2026.
Orvin was born on September 10, 1930, on a farm in Utica, Minnesota to John and Grace (Connaughty). He was a successful dairy farmer and farmed his land with what he said was the most fertile land you ever saw. He married Doris Hoppe on February 12, 1953. They were married 66 years when she passed away on May 2, 2019. Together they had seven children.
Orvin is survived by his children Janice (Michael) Fusco, Roger (Leslie) Sweningson, Ronnie (Dawn) Sweningson, and Jeffrey (Jackie) Sweningson; his grandchildren, Cory (Cindy), Trevor (Tasha), Heather, Ryan (Angelica), Kyle (Savanah), Eric (Mandy), Blake, Logan, Shawn (Rachel) Brandon, and Tyler; great grandchildren, Sebastian, Sydney, Shelby, Thomas, Adah, River Rose, and Alexander. He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris, and children, Rick, Randy and Julie.
He loved football. Of course, the Vikings were his team. He did say he was getting tired of saying, “maybe next year we’ll go to the Super Bowl.” He never gave up hope on his team and always looked forward to the new season. Sundays couldn’t come soon enough.
Orvin was such a hardworking man. He loved being a farmer and was sad when he and Doris retired in 1992. He thought he could relax once he retired, but if you knew Orvin, I don’t think “relax” was in his vocabulary. Most importantly, Orvin was a proud American and loved Minnesota and his farm. He loved the song, “Proud to be an American”, as it mentions the lakes of Minnesota. He always got emotional when the song played. He would tell us that he lived in “Gods Country”, and he meant it from his heart. He was a great man, and he will truly be missed.