Dorene Mae Swenson

Dorene Mae (Jants) Swenson, 87, of Burleson, Texas, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026. Dorene was born June 23, 1938, in Canby, Minnesota, to Alfred P. and Mildred V. (Knutson) Jants. She graduated from Canby High School in 1956. After briefly attending Sioux Valley Nursing School, she pursued cosmetology at Stewart's School of Hairstyling in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, graduating in 1958. She later earned her Cosmetology Instructor's License in 1968 and taught for two years.

On December 21, 1958, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert Swenson. As an Army wife, Dorene supported her family through assignments at Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Buckner, Okinawa; Fort Dix, New Jersey; Fort Lincoln, North Dakota; and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Throughout those years, she raised three sons and continued her career as a hairstylist, retiring after 25 years in the profession.

Dorene later helped Robert own and manage the Golden Corral Steakhouse in Stephenville, Texas, for twelve years and also worked at Walmart before fully retiring.

A devoted follower of Jesus Christ, Dorene faithfully served in every community she called home. In Waco, she became an active member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, participating in WELCA, Stephen Ministry, Altar Guild, quilting, and the Funeral Committee. She also volunteered at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center and was honored as Volunteer of the Year in 2012.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m., Friday, March 6, 2026, at Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Arlington, Texas. Following a luncheon, her ashes will be interred at 1:00 p.m. at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Dorene M. (Jants) Swenson is survived by a sister Marlene Gibson of MN, and her three sons. Brad Swenson and wife Debbie of Burleson, TX and their children Heather, Caitlin and husband Myke Gardetto and their children Haley and Connor, and Eric and wife Anna. Robert Jr. and wife Beccy of Lohn, TX and their children Derrick Bobo and his children Trinity and Faith, Tanya, Ashlee, and Kyla and her son Everett. Barry and wife Mary Kay of Arlington, TX and their children Valerie and Husband Jake Malone and their daughter Amelia, Jonathan and his wife Savannah, Paul and his wife Beth and their daughter Daisy, and Christopher and his wife Ace.

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