Eldon William Swanson 1935-2011

SWANSON, JOHNSON, HOOGE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/31/2011 at 22:54:16

ESTHERVILLE - Funeral services for Eldon W. Swanson, 75, of Spirit Lake will be held 3 p.m. Monday, May 23, 2011, at Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville with Judy Christensen officiating. Visiation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home only on Monday. Interment will be at St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Estherville.

He died Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at the Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake.

Eldon William Swanson, the son of John and Dorothy (Johnson) Swanson, was born Aug. 21, 1935 in Oakland, Neb.

In his earlier years, Eldon worked road construction with his father, John, traveling the states of Iowa and Nebraska. He purchased a home in Tekamah, Neb., where he and his wife, Joan, raised their family until 1961 when the family moved to Estherville. There Eldon worked for a grain elevator before becoming a salesman for a local paint and glass shop. In the early 1970's Eldon started his own paint and glass business out of the basement and garage of his home. The business was soon moved to Spirit Lake where it was established for 21 years and Joan and Eldon enjoying their home on Big Spirit Lake. The couple retired to Arizona until 2008 when they returned to Spirit Lake. In August of 2009, Joan entered the Hilltop Care Center. Eldon was well known for his faithful daily visits to his wife.

Eldon loved to read his Bible and attended Bible Study at the Homestead Cooperative. For hobbies, he enjoyed traveling, golfing, model trains and going to the casino.

Left to cherish Eldon's memory are his wife, Joan, of Spirit Lake; his children, Debra Hooge and her husband, Marlon, of North St. Paul, Minn. and Kevin Swanson and his wife, Janet, of Rochester, Minn.; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services May 23, 2011, at Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel, Estherville, IA. Interment in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Estherville, IA. (Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel website)