Swanson, John "Coach" (1932-2013)
SWANSON, ENGLAND, CARLSON, RICHARDSON, BENSON, SIMON, MAGNUSSEN, LINDGREN, GUMM, ARCHACKI, MORK
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 11/15/2013 at 16:20:23
John "Coach" Swanson
March 03, 1932 - October 22, 2013Storm Lake, Iowa
John “Coach” Swanson, age 81, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died on Tuesday, October 22, 2013, at North Lake Manor in Storm Lake.
John Richard Swanson was born on March 3, 1932, in Red Oak, Iowa, to John H. and Victoria (England) Swanson. Growing up, he attended school in Red Oak before graduating from Alta High School in Alta, Iowa, in 1949. Next, he continued his education at Buena Vista College where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree. He, then, completed his Master’s Degree at Drake University.
On August 12, 1951, John married Darline Carlson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta, Iowa. They were blessed with four children: Deborah, Sandra, Cheryl, and Jon.
On September 3, 1952, John enlisted in the United States Army. He, subsequently, served his country during the Korean Conflict with the Field Artillery until his honorable discharge on June 5, 1954.
A dedicated husband, father, and coach, Coach Swanson spent many years at Storm Lake High School serving as a guidance counselor, teacher, and coach. He loved traveling and spending time with his family. Active in the community, he became a founding member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Storm Lake, Iowa. Inducted into the Football Coaches Hall of Fame, he was also honored to coach in a Shrine Bowl game. Passionate about Cursillo, S.O.D.A., and Dollars for Scholars, he was also a big fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Those left to cherish his memory include his four children: Deborah (Bruce) Richardson, of Storm Lake, Iowa, Sandra (Paul) Benson, of West Bend, Wisconsin, Cheryl (Dave) Simon, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Jon Swanson, of Des Moines, Iowa; his grandchildren: Jeremy (Andrea) Richardson, of Meridian, Idaho, Jennifer (Paul) Magnussen, of Storm Lake, Iowa, Matthew (Megan) Richardson, of Storm Lake, Iowa, Katie (Josh) Lindgren, of Marathon, Iowa, Jessica (Nick) Gumm, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Carl Benson, and his fiancée, Jillian, of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, Andrea Benson, of West Bend, Wisconsin, Austin, Josh, and Anna Simon, all of Des Moines, Iowa, and Kylie Swanson, of Primghar, Iowa; his great grandchildren: Rylan and Braxton Richardson, of Meridian, Idaho, Alli and Tyler Magnussen, of Storm Lake, Iowa, Luke, Cole, and Emma Richardson, of Storm Lake, Iowa, and Colton and Levi Lindgren, of Marathon, Iowa; his brother, Don Swanson; his niece, Angie (Chris) Archacki; and his nephew, Steven Swanson; as well as extended family members and friends.
John was preceded in death by his loving wife, Darline Swanson; his parents, John and Vickie Swanson; his brothers, Robert and James; his sister-in-law, Sandie Swanson; and his niece, Tracy Mork.
Visitation: 4:00-7:00 p.m., October 25, 2013, at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., October 26, 2013, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, Iowa.
Interment: October 26, 2013, at the Scandinavian Cemetery in Alta, Iowa.Copyright © 2013, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes
Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes
Buena Vista Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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