Harvey Clifford Swenson, 1953 - 2023
SWENSON, THORESON, LAURITSEN
Posted By: Connie Swearingen - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/12/2023 at 10:30:03
Harvey Clifford Swenson, 70, of Panora, Iowa, formerly of Soldier, Iowa, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at MercyOne Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa.
A Celebration of Life, led by Pastor Dennis Lauritsen and Pastor Chip Borgstadt, will be held Tuesday, September 5 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Moorhead, Iowa. A luncheon will follow at the church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments in Onawa. For those unable to attend the service, a recording will be posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website shortly thereafter.
Harvey Clifford was born August 19, 1953 in Pisgah, Iowa to Clifford and Eileen (Thoreson) Swenson. He grew up on a farm and after his father’s passing when Harvey was nine, moved to Soldier. Throughout childhood, he enjoyed quality time with his Aunt Edna Messenbrink. Harvey graduated from East Monona High School in 1971 and later earned an Associate of Business Administration degree from Iowa Western Community College.
Harvey and his high school sweetheart Peggy Lauritsen were married on February 17, 1974 in Moorhead, Iowa. To this union were born Sarah, Erin, and Jacob. Together, they enjoyed supporting their children in all of their activities and free time was often spent remodeling homes and refinishing furniture.
Harvey began his career in 1973 with Gordmans as a Store Manager. Later, he was promoted to the Director of Store Design and Construction. Upon retirement in 2014, he and Peggy moved to the Lake of the Ozarks where they lived for over five years. In 2019 they moved to Panora, Iowa.
Harvey enjoyed the outdoors, motorcycles, wood working, wine tours, photography, gardening, and landscaping. He was a fan of football and basketball and enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers and Iowa State Cyclones. Harvey liked to relax with a good cigar and was proud of his Norwegian Heritage. He loved Labradors, and raised several litters of puppies during retirement. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family, especially hiking in the Loess Hills and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy (Lauritsen) Swenson of Panora; children Sarah (Mike) Petersen of Waukee, Iowa, Erin (Brad) Bouslaugh of Ankeny, Iowa; and Jacob (Melanie) Swenson, of Houston, Texas; grandchildren Thea, Abram, Clara, Ava, Brycen, Aubrey, and Freya; brothers and sisters Carolyn (Jim) Sward, Mary Frances Mason, Dennis (Jane) Lauritsen, and Daryle (Deb) Lauritsen; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Eileen Swenson; parents-in-law Roy and Maire Lauritsen; sister Delores Swenson; and brother-in-law Bill Mason.
Harvey loved to have a good time and give all of us happy moments. He worked long, hard hours and wanted to savor every moment with family. He blessed and enriched our lives in so many ways and, as such a person as he was, we will always long for more time together.
In Lieu of Flowers, donations in Harvey’s memory may be made to Sarah Petersen and mailed to P.O. Box, 215,Waukee, Iowa, 50263.
Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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