Randy “Cowboy” L. Sweere, age 73, of Prior Lake, MN, passed peacefully surrounded by family, at his daughter’s home on July 2, 2024.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 4 pm, with a gathering two hours prior, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake. Military honors will be provided by the Prior Lake Veteran Honor Guard. Cowboy will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Monday, July 22, at 9 am.
Randy was born on July 4, 1950, to parents Leonard and Iola (Straub) Sweere in Henning, MN. Randy was born and raised on the family farm there. It wasn’t long before Randy became a big brother when his brother Ricky was born! Eventually, the family moved off the farm to Minnetonka where Randy would graduate high school in 1968. While in high school, he loved to play hockey and would eventually go onto coaching hockey in the 80’s! He went to college for only a year before he was drafted into the military to fight in Vietnam.
Randy was drafted on September 3, 1969 and was sent off to Vietnam. He was stationed at Quang Tri, being a part of the 101st Airborne,11th infantry. Although he didn’t speak much on his experience there, it weighed heavily on him. He was wounded during his time in the war and was discharged on September 1, 1971.
Randy came home from the war and got married. His marriage brought the ultimate gift to him, his beloved daughter, Rachael. Rachael was daddy’s girl and he loved her deeply! Randy loved taking her to horse shows every weekend. When he wasn’t watching the horse shows with his daughter, he was showing his own horses with her! Any excuse to see a show was a good enough reason to go! You could always find him at the local fairs, state fairs, and even in different states to see the shows. He had a deep love for horses and soon received the nickname “Cowboy”. He proudly wore his nickname, alongside his cowboy hat, boots, and belt buckles. He would love to trail ride in the Black Hills, and the local parks. Really anytime he could get out on the trail, he would!
When he wasn’t at a show with his daughter, he was working with his dad at Concrete Sawing. They owned the business together and would spend 35 years working there. Towards the end of his career, he would end up driving the school bus for Prior Lake Schools and many of the sports teams, especially football and hockey. He was extremely proud of his work there. He was able to form close friendships and bonds with the kids and absolutely loved to watch the teams play, even if he wasn’t driving the bus that day. He loved his Prior Lake community, and they loved him!
Towards his later years, he enjoyed hunting with his beloved labs, fishing on his boat, and being with his horses. He continued to support all the sports teams, especially the MN Twins! When his life truly changed was when his grandchildren were born. Randy loved his grandkids and truly embraced his new role as a grandfather! He stayed involved in their lives, making sure they knew grandpa loved them all.
Randy’s loving, loyal and strong willed nature will be forever remembered by his daughter, Rachael (Terry) Sweere-Stier; grandchildren, Austin Sweere, Courtney (Chris) Briggs, Francis (Stephanie) Stier, Barbara (Quentin) Slagter; great grandchildren, Lily and Henry Stier; faithful companion, Dog Cooper; other relatives and friends.
Randy is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Iola Sweere; and brother, Rick Sweere.
