Lori Ann Blue

Lori Ann Blue (Swarthout)

It is with intense sorrow, sadness and a broken heart that we announce the passing of our beautiful Mother, Lori Ann Blue, at the age of 62. Our Mother passed away peacefully, with her children at her sides, and went home to be with our Heavenly Father on November 3rd, 2026.

Lori was born in Rochester, Minnesota on May 24, 1964 to Carol Laughnan (Andrist) and Carl Swarthout. While she was young, her family moved to Red Wing, Minnesota, where she grew up with her siblings and parents. Her favorite memories as a child were visiting her Grandpa Andrist’s farm and having picnics at the park.

As a young adult, Lori had her first child, Brady. She described his birth as one of the happiest days of her life. A few years later, she had her daughter, Cassie, and the two of them became best friends. Being a parent brought Lori deep joy and pride, and she loved her kids with her whole entire heart and soul. As a family, they enjoyed camping, tubing, bowling, and so much more. Lori wanted to give her kids all she could, including a trip to Florida, where the kids had the time of their lives.

While in her 20’s, Lori studied nursing and graduated from Southeast Technical College in Red Wing in 1994. Lori had many different jobs in her 25-year career. She worked in nursing homes, hospitals as a pool nurse, detox centers and many more. She obtained a brain injury specialist certification and used this knowledge while working on a coma unit. For a time, she even opened her home as an adult foster care center. Lori’s favorite job was at Oak Ridge Manor in Hastings. She never stopped being a care giver, and even in her last days, it brought her joy to take care of others that were around her. She was an amazing nurse and worked tirelessly to provide for her patients.

Lori’s hobbies through her life included bowling, traveling (especially to the Bahamas,) karaoke, fishing, cooking, gardening and just in general, she loved life and loved to have fun. Lori enjoyed the holidays, especially Easter. She loved having Easter egg hunts and always made sure to have a basket for her kids and grandkids. Decorating for every holiday was always on her list of things to do. Her favorite color was purple, and she really loved hummingbirds and elephants.

Lori will be remembered for her giving heart, her playful demeanor and for her amazing cooking. Anytime Lori cooked, the food was guaranteed to be eaten up. Whether it was a huge meal, or a simple egg sandwich, her kids will miss the way she cooked for them. When she wasn’t cooking, she enjoyed all foods, especially shrimp and lobster!

She adored her grandkids and children and always looked forward to seeing them. She had a very close bond with her grandson, Corben and she always let everyone know how proud she was of him. Lori loved to give. She always had something she wanted to give to others, and it truly made her happy to spoil others. Lori loved to have a good time, and she made sure she always did. She had a wicked sense of humor and making people laugh was usually her goal, she would do or say anything for a chuckle. In her last years, she found such peace and happiness doing diamond art, especially with her sister, Tammy. Lori cared and loved very deeply for her mother, Carol. She always made sure to call each night to check in.

Lori had very recently been diagnosed with an extremely brutal and aggressive lung cancer. Despite the strength and cruelness of that monster, she fought with outstanding bravery, fierce determination, unfailing faith in our Lord, and unimaginable strength. Our Mother truly fought an incredible fight given her circumstances. We are in awe of her strength that she showed. Between her determination to live and her deep love and faith of God, she never even thought of giving up. Our hearts are deeply broken that she couldn’t make it through that fight. Saying goodbye to her was the most devastating thing we’ve ever had to do. We pray she is pain free, happy and surrounded by the Glory of God in heaven for now and forever.

Lori was preceded in death by her older sister, Janey Johnson (Swarthout); and her father, Carl Swarthout.

Lori is survived by her children, Brady (Michelle) Blue of Rochester and Cassie (Owen) Schmitz of Hastings; her mother, Carol Laughnan; her brother, Duaine (Jamie) Swarthout; sister, Tammy Swarthout; and her grandchildren, Kaylie, Corben, Maci, Gwendelyn, Isaiah, Madelyn and Lily. Lori leaves behind many friends and loved ones: Bruce, Nikki Siebenaler, Tammy, her friends at Cooperidge, her PCAs through the years, and her precious cats, Basil and Oreo.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, December 5, 2026 at Crossroads Church in Hastings with a visitation from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Immediately following the service, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Eagles in Hastings. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Lori’s life and share memories together.

Memorial tributes in Lori's honor may be made through floral arrangements or contributions to her children. We sincerely appreciate your love and support as we celebrate her life and cherish her memory.

The Lord called His daughter home, where there is no more pain, no more suffering, and no more tears. Though we grieve her absence here on Earth, we rejoice knowing that Mom is resting in eternal peace with our Heavenly Father. We will love you and remember you forever Mother May.