Mary Ellen Sweeney

Mary Ellen Sweeney was born March 31, 1928 in Jessenland Township on the family farm, the firstborn of Frank and Nellie McSweeney. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 10, 2025 at 97 ½.

When she was young, she suffered a severe case of Scarlet Fever which impacted her cognitive abilities. After she graduated from Arlington High School, she remained on the farm with her parents. For many of her later years she lived at Highland Commons Apartments in Arlington, first with her mother and then on her own. She was active while there, walking around the town and helping with meals. After breaking her hip in 2015 she moved to the Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine. This was probably her happiest time. She participated in every craft and activity and enjoyed interacting with the staff and residents. Her favorite pastime was jigsaw puzzles, and she was proud of never giving up, no matter how difficult one proved to be. She loved wearing jazzy necklaces and scarves and displaying her puzzles and craft projects.

Her memory remained sharp throughout her life. She could list all the neighbors they had on nearby farms and recalled many other facts from throughout her lifetime. Mary Ellen was a very sweet person. (She also had a stubborn streak that the nursing home staff encountered often). Her life was simple, and she enjoyed it, taking pleasure in small things.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Thomas, sister Alice, and brother John. She is survived by her brother Robert of AZ and several nephews and nieces.

A private family burial will be held. Special thanks to the Lutheran Home staff that showed her great care.