Annis E. (Swenson) Dunham

Annis Dunham, age 102, of Glenwood, died peacefully on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at her daughter’s home in Glendale, AZ. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 17th at Glenwood Lutheran Church with Rev. Krista Lee officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery. At the family's request, memorials may be directed to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 or StJude.org in memory of Luke Chapin. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Annis Elvira Dunham, daughter of Frank and Emma (Peterson) Swenson, was born on August 23, 1923, in Hitterdal, MN. She was the first of three children born to the couple. Annis and her siblings grew up in Hitterdal and Henning. They were members of Salem Lutheran Church in Hitterdal. Following her graduation from Henning High School in 1941, she studied cosmetology in Moorhead, MN. Annis ultimately found she did not like working on women’s hair (they complained too much and were too picky!!!), so she went on to business school.

It was during that time that she met Earl Dunham. The two were united in marriage on September 27, 1950 in Moorhead. Earl had a long, distinguished career working for the Soo Line Railroad, which necessitated several moves throughout their married life. The two were living in Detroit Lakes, MN when their son, David, was born. Four years later their daughter, Karen, was born in Devils Lake, ND. One of their longest stays was in Southam, ND, where they lived in the Soo Line Railroad depot for 14 years and Annis worked as a bookkeeper at the elevator. Annis had lots of stories about that adventure!! In 1967 they made their final move, settling in Glenwood, MN. For the next several years she worked as a bookkeeper at Ruhr American in Glenwood.

Annis and Earl were members of Glenwood Lutheran Church where she belonged to the Ladies’ Aid. She enjoyed doing hand work and was very artistic. She made several beautiful items that she had hanging on her walls and many she shared as gifts with friends and family. She also loved reading. Later in life Macular Degeneration made her unable to continue these hobbies, which was very disheartening for her.

Annis was extremely proud of her heritage. She loved talking about her parents and her early life as she got older. If someone asked her what it takes to live as long as she did, she would answer that she was a “Swegian” (1/2 Swede and 1/2 Norwegian)!!!

Annis will be remembered for her sassy, witty personality which was on full display right up until the day before her passing. Everyone that met her immediately adored her spunk. She always had a quick and witty comment at the ready!!!  She will also be remembered for her tidiness. You could eat off her kitchen floor because she was such a clean freak!!! She loved her family, especially her great-grandchildren and loved to have them visit often!!

Annis died peacefully on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at her daughter’s home in Glendale, AZ, surrounded by family, having lived to the age of 102 years, 2 months and 10 days. May her memory be blessed.

Annis is survived by her son, David (Terry) Dunham of Springfield, MO; daughter, Karen (Larry Prcik) Hagen of Glendale, AZ; three grandchildren, Lisa (Ben) Rea of Lawrence, KS, Ryan Dunham of Seattle, WA and Zane (Rachel) Hagen of Peoria, AZ; two great-grandchildren, Joshua and Hannah Hagen of Peoria, AZ; and a sister-in-law, Shirley Swenson of Centralia, WA.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earl in 2012, and her siblings, Franklin Swenson and Carol (Joe) Mays.

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