Ione M. Smieja

Ione M. Smieja, an 88-year-old resident of Swanville, MN passed away Wednesday, March 9, 2016, at Heritage Place in Sartell, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Swanville, MN with Father Ronald Dockendorf officiating. Burial will be at the St. John’s Parish Cemetery in Swanville. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 P.M. on Monday at St. John’s Catholic Church in Swanville and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church.
Ione truly was a servant of God. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2009 and spent her last years at the Legends at Heritage Place in Sartell, MN. Ione was born at home, February 2, 1928 in Royalton, MN. She married Clarence on October 10th, 1944 and they lived in Pierz, MN. Ione and Clarence moved to their Swanville farm in 1961. She loved her flower gardens and kept an immaculate yard. Ione also loved her music and often could be found dancing and singing. But her biggest passion was for children and her family. Ione raised 9 children of her own, along with around 130 foster children, and also did daycare. She worked at Munsingwear and then 3rd shift at St. Gabriel Hospital so she could be home in the mornings to fix breakfast before the kids went to school.
Ione is survived by one brother, Frank (JoAnn) Trutwin of Royalton, MN and 9 children. Carol (Bob) Anderson of Fort Ripley, MN, Mike (Sharon) Smieja of Rice, MN, Dan (Marcia) Smieja of Rice, MN, Melody (Kevin) Gradin of Clear Lake, MN, Debby (Ron) Robinson of Zimmerman, MN, Pam Smieja of Shakopee, MN, Wanda (Dave ) Baumgartner of Big Lake, MN, Scott (Carrie) of Monticello, MN and Brenda (Bo) Bohlinger of Shakopee, MN; 27 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren and many foster children.
Ione is preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; grandson, Brian, and 6 siblings.
Mom/Grandma is now dancing (most likely a polka) in heaven. We are sad that she is no longer with us here physically, but rejoicing that she is now home with her Heavenly Father with no more suffering. We love you mom, grandma! Pallbearers will be Ione’s grandsons.