Brad Swenson, former Pioneer political editor, dies at age 57

BEMIDJI - Brad Swenson, 57, former political editor of the Bemidji Pioneer, died unexpectedly Sunday.

Swenson, who started working in the Pioneer’s editorial department in May 1980, retired last July due to medical issues.

A friend found Swenson deceased at about 7:30 p.m. in his home in Northview Manor.

Swenson worked for the Pioneer as a reporter, managing editor, political editor and editorial writer. The Pioneer in January began running weekly political columns form Swenson.

He earned numerous awards during his journalism career, including three Premack Public Affairs Journalism Awards, the Minnesota Newspaper Association Herman Roe Editorial Writing award and the Ag Communicator of the Year Award from the Minnesota Farm Bureau.

Services are pending with Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji.