Brice E. "Swede" Cederberg Sr

Brice E. “Swede” Cederberg Sr. was born May 25, 1935, in Turner, Montana, to Big Flat homesteaders Aben and Jewell Adams Cederberg. He died peacefully in his sleep of natural causes in Stevensville on March 29, 2018, at the age of 82.

Swede grew up on his family’s homestead near Turner. He attended Turner schools and graduated from Turner High as one of six members of the Class of 1953. Swede remained a loyal, life-long Turner Tornado, attending many All School Reunions.

Swede and his future wife Glenna Mae Lundberg attended school together from the third grade on, when she moved from Hogeland to Turner and joined the Class of ’53 students. Swede and Glenna were married for 64 years. They raised four children in Havre and Chinook, and retired to Stevensville in 2001. Swede and Glenna enjoyed their retirement years as active members of the Stevensville Senior Citizen’s Center and several pinochle clubs. Swede was a regular at the Frontier Café afternoon coffee group.

Swede took a job as a janitor at the Vita Rich Dairy in Havre in 1953. He worked his way through the ranks at the dairy as a bottle machine operator and on up to manager. Swede owned several businesses after leaving the dairy, including the Swiss Inn in Havre, Blaine County Ready Mix in Chinook and the Oxford Tavern in Snohomish, Wash. He also worked in the life insurance business with his good friend Leonard Motari.

Swede was always an active member in his community. The children were involved in swimming, which got Swede involved with the AAU. He served as President of the Montana State AAU. He was also among the leaders of a group of parents who persuaded the Montana High School Association to recognize swimming as a high school sport in 1967. Swede served a term on the Havre City Council. He was a deacon of the First Lutheran Church in Havre and a benefit member of the Eagles Lodges in Havre and Chinook.

Swedes’ parents, his son Bryan, his brother Leon, and his brothers-in-law Wilford and Melvin Lundberg and Melvin Van Wechel preceded him in death. Swede is survived by his wife Glenna at the family home in Stevensville, son Dan, and his wife Forey in Missoula, and their children and grandchildren Brad, Monica, Jackson and Cormac Cederberg in Missoula, Jenna Cederberg and her fiancé Kris Goss in Helena, Breland, Brady, Emary and Monroe Tommerup in Hayden Lake, Idaho, and Dac Cederberg of Madrid, Spain; Bryan’s daughter Jaqlyn Cederberg in Granite Falls, Wash.; son Brice Jr. in Granite Falls, Wash., and his children, Jerilyn Cederberg and her fiancé Chris Lankhaar in Everett, Wash., and Zach Hereth in Marysville, Wash.; and daughter Jane and Ray Bedford and their children Amanda and Thomas in Fairbanks, Alaska. Swede is also survived by his sisters Donna Van Wechel in Stevensville and Apache Junction, Arizona, Teresa Cowan in Havre, brother Larry Cederberg and his wife Roberta in Turner, sister-in-law Nellie Cederberg in Great Falls, many nephews and nieces and their children and many friends. Swede will be remembered by all for his strong work ethic, caring nature, generosity and great sense of humor.

An open house celebration of Swede’s life was held at the Stevensville Senior Citizen’s Center from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 7. Graveside services will be held in Turner on June 16, 2018, at a time to be determined. Memorial donations should be made to your local Salvation Army, Swede’s favorite charity, or a charity of your choice.

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