Douglas (Doug) Sweetland

Douglas Patrick Sweetland was born on March 1, 1939, in Faulkton, SD, as number 13 of 14 children born of Frederick and Rose (Anglin) Sweetland. He grew up in Orient, SD, and graduated from Orient High School. From 1957 – 1961, Doug served in the U.S. Navy. In 1965, he was united in marriage to Karen Kjelden in Clear Lake, SD. Doug had a life-long passion for education. He received his B.S. from Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD, in 1965, his M.S. in Economics from Kansas State University in 1967, and his Ph. D. in Economics from Kansas State University in 1971. Doug taught economics and finance at several institutions including Northern State College, Kansas State University, University of Wisconsin at La Crosse, and Winona State University. After becoming Dean and Vice President at Winona State he ended his career as a Professor of Economics and President of Southwest State University in Marshall. Though being in administration for much of his career, Doug always insisted on teaching at least one class so he could remain in contact with the students and their needs. Doug was very passionate about family history and genealogy, gardening, planting trees, reading (three or four books a week!), and his beloved Yankees. He was very proud of his children and doted on his five grandchildren. He will be remembered for treating those he met with kindness and respect regardless of age or status. When asked what advice he would like to leave his children and grandchildren, he did not hesitate to say, "Be good to people. That's all that matters." ____________________________ Doug died on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, at his residence surrounded by his famiLy after a 2-year battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Karen, of Lynd, Minnesota, children Celine (and Jerrod) Nelson of Lynd, Minnesota, Shane of Watertown, South Dakota, and Angela (and Matt) Bass of Byron, Minnesota, grandchildren Rachel and Alex Nelson and Hannah, Emily, and Shawn Bass, one brother and four sisters, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Rose Sweetland, four brothers, and four sisters. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Doug Sweetland Memorial Scholarship would be greatly appreciated. Doug requested that this scholarship be set up for Southwest Minnesota State University education students from the surrounding area. Donations can be sent to: Southwest Minnesota State University, Foundation Office c/o Bill Mulso, 1501 State Street, Marshall, MN 56258.