Quentin "Swede" Crow

Quentin "Swede" Jerome Crow was born on September 21, 1952, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Cynthia Crow. He grew up in Pipestone, Minnesota and was raised by his grandmother, Estella Wilson. She was very special as she taught him how to get along with other people and about his Indian history. He received his nickname, "Swede" at a very early age and it just seemed to stick through the years. More people knew him by Swede than Quentin, though he didn't mind being called by his given name either. Swede attended school in Pipestone, graduating from Pipestone High School in 1971. He was drafted into the United States Army in September of 1972 and spent 13 months in Korea. He was honorably discharged in September of 1974. During his active duty he was united in marriage to Connie Wigton from Lake Benton on December 23, 1972 at the United Methodist Church in Lake Benton, Minnesota. Quentin began working at the Pipestone National Monument in April of 1975 as a seasonal maintenance worker. It was a job he really enjoyed. He loved working with many Native Americans, showing them how to quarry the pipestone as he was a Quarrier and Pipemaker. He loved keeping the tradition alive. He retired from the National Park Service on December 31, 2017; he had become the Maintenance Supervisor a few years prior to his retirement. Swede was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in his home with his beloved wife, Connie, by his side on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the age of 73.

Swede was a board member of the Pipestone Indian Shrine Association. He was also a member of Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone. He enjoyed shooting pool, hunting, touch football, and played many softball games. He was a big Minnesota Vikings fan and firmly believe that Bud Grant was the best Vike's head coach ever. He stuck with them through the good times and the bad times.

Swede was a jack-of-all-trades and he always found ways to solve problems when working on any project. He was always willing to help other people out with their problems. He oftentimes seemed stoic to folks who didn't know him, but when you knew him, he was a kind, friendly, caring man.

Swede is lovingly remembered by his wife, Connie, of Pipestone; siblings, Karen (friend, Joe Warnke) Brady of Marshall, Minnesota, Jackie Martens of Pipestone, Stephen (friend, Teresa) Brady of Flandreau, South Dakota, Kim (Steve) Grell of Spencer, Iowa, Gary (Debra) Brady of Pipestone, David (Marion) Brady of Pipestone, and Janelle "Holley" Nordstrom of St. Louis Park, Minnesota; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, friends and family members. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Estella Wilson; mother, Cynthia Brady; sister, Susie; and brother, Timothy "Mugs" Brady.

Blessed by his memory!