Obituary of Sally Joy Switzer

Sally Joy Switzer, 68, Cromwell, passed away with her family by her side on Friday, June 25, 2004 in St. Mary's Medical Center, Duluth after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was born February 23, 1936 in Superior, WI, the daughter of Victor and Lempi (Mannila) Wicklund. Sally attended school in Sawyer and was the Salutatorian of the Carlton High School graduating class of 1954. She married Harlan Switzer on June 20, 1987 in Wright. She started working at the Sawyer Grocery Store when she was in high school and then from 1961 until it's closing, she owned and operated Granholm Grocery in Cromwell with her husband, Jim. In 1977, Sally started working at the Cromwell Co-op store as a clerk and advanced to the general manager position, retiring in 1992. Sally dearly loved spending time with all the children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, but her first love was spending time with her husband, Harlan. She enjoyed crocheting, flowers, gardening, attending music jams, spending time at the cabin and it was well known that her coffee pot was always on for her family and friends. For the last nine years, Sally, along with her husband, thoroughly enjoyed spending the winters in Mission, Texas. Sally was preceded in death by her son, Kevin Granholm on March 13, 2003 and her parents. Her love, warmth and wonderful sense of humor will be missed by her husband, Harlan, of Cromwell; her children, Howard (Julie) Granholm of St. Cloud, Brian "Bucky" (Pauly) Granholm of Kettle River, Kim (Roger) Suhonen of Wright, Tracey (Brent) Goranson and Lynn (Chris) Odegaard, both of Cromwell; her step-children, Robert Switzer, Keith (Patti) Switzer, Bill (Denise) Switzer and Joe Switzer, all of Cromwell, Dan (Caroline) Switzer of Outing, MN, Mark (Ellen) Switzer of Kettle River and Dawn (John) Pelfrey of Leavenworth, KS; three sisters, Audrey Wright of Duluth, Gloria (Bob) Manninen and Wilma (Jerry) Heikkila, both of Cromwell; 12 grandchildren, 18 step grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter; 6 step great grandchildren and many friends. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the oncology nurses on 3East at St. Mary's Medical Center, the staff of the Duluth Clinic infusion unit, her oncologist, Dr. Jonathan Sande, her cardiologist, Dr. Nizar Saleh and Pastor Matt Saarem. Funeral services were held on Monday, June 28, 2004 in Bethany Lutheran Church, Cromwell. Interment was in Eagle Lake Cemetery, Eagle Township. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.