Willow Ann Swedenburg was born in Pawnee City, Neb., on Aug. 9, 1936, to Dr. Paul Swedenburg and Fern (Thompson) Swedenburg After spending her childhood in Swanville, Minn., the family moved to Glenwood in 1946 where her father established a medical practice following WWII. Willow graduated from Glenwood High School in 1954. In 1955 she married Donald Feigum. This union was blessed with four children.

In 1974, Willow returned to Glenwood to finish her college education at the University of Minnesota, Morris. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1977. After college, Willow worked in a variety of jobs, including working at Hilltop Lumber as a bookkeeper and Glenwood Ben Franklin. She eventually started a printing company, Nova Enterprises, that she ran from her home for many years.

Willow loved art, gardening and animals, in no particular order. She was instrumental in starting the first Humane Society in Glenwood, and along with her own menagerie of animals, she fostered many, many others over the years. She was a self-taught artist, first in oil painting and then evolving into many beautiful watercolors. She displayed her art all over Minnesota, winning many awards, and selling her art at fairs and shows. Later, she enjoyed making hand-made jewelry, which again she displayed and sold state-wide. Her artwork is a treasured memory for many of her friends and family and will be a legacy of her life for many years to come. Besides her family, Willow was most proud of her beautiful backyard gardens. Creating her overgrown, bottle-strewn backyard took many years, but it was transformed into a wonderful garden space with many unique plants and flowers, which she and her family enjoyed immensely. She would spend hours in the winter looking through her garden magazines ordering more plants each spring to keep things blooming throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall. She took immense pride in keeping it weed free and always immaculate. Willow was a good friend to many, and she was always willing to lend a helping hand when asked. She loved spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she always wanted to know any news of their lives.

Willow passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, at Glenwood Retirement Village

Willow is survived by her son, Tony (Melissa), and  daughter, Amy (Rod) Uecker, both of Glenwood; grandchildren, Cameron and Kaylyn Oberg, Ethan and Aaron Feigum, Gabrielle (Blake) Steinkraus and Evan and Anna Uecker; great-grandson, Atlas Oberg; great-granddaughters, Delilah Steinkraus and Gwen Oberg; sister, Nancy (Rod) Miley; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; former husband, Donald; sister, Mary; and sons, William and Paul.

The family will have a private graveside service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pope County Humane Society.