Swiggum, Rev. Peter Lewis 1921-2009

SWIGGUM, HALVERSON, NESHEIM, MONROE, PETERSEN, LITTLE, CLARK, ROHRBACH

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 12/9/2012 at 14:24:28

Rev. Peter L. Swiggum, age 87, of Decorah, Iowa, died Saturday, August 1, 2009 at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah.

Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, August 7, 2009 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Decorah by Rev. Richard Simon Hanson.

Visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, August 6, from 5:00-7:00 P.M., in the Library at Vennehjem, 1102 Nordic Drive, Decorah, and on Friday one hour before the service at the church. Fjelstul Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Peter Lewis Swiggum was born August 9, 1921, in Soldiers Grove, WI, the son of Palmer and Ida (Halverson) Swiggum. He was baptized and confirmed at North Kickapoo Lutheran Church in rural Soldiers Grove. He attended Johnstown rural school and was a 1939 graduate of Soldiers Grove High School, a 1949 graduate of Luther College in Decorah, IA and a 1952 graduate of Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. He served in The U.S. Army during WWII from 1942-1945.

He was united in marriage to Jean Nesheim on August 4, 1950 at West Prairie Lutheran Church in Ferryville, WI. This union was blessed with four children: Mary, John, Joanna and Margaret.

Peter served as a Lutheran pastor for 35 years: Maxbass, Holden, Bethany and Zion Lutheran churches in Maxbass, ND; Whalen, Highland and South Fork Lutheran churches in Whalen, MN; Madison and Lincoln Lutheran Churches in Ridgeway, IA and Zion Lutheran Church in Dysart, IA. He retired to Decorah in 1986.

He enjoyed gardening and spent many hours in his woodshop lovingly creating furniture and gifts for his family and others. In his later years he particularly delighted in entertaining his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved his Lord, his wife and family, and all the people he served in his congregations. Peter will be greatly missed.

After a number of years in failing health, Peter died on Saturday morning, August 1, 2009 at the age of 87 years. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Peter is survived by his wife, Jean of Decorah, IA; four children: Mary (Mark) Monroe of Dysart, IA, John Swiggum of Charles City, IA, Joanna (Norman) Petersen of Mankato, MN and Margaret (Keith) Little of Mesa, AZ; eight grandchildren: Sarah (Craig) Clark, Leah (Victor) Rohrbach, Micah Monroe, Jaclyn Swiggum, Jamie Swiggum, Britta Petersen, Dustin and Hannah Little; four great-grandchildren: Molly and Sadie Clark, Jadyn Swiggum, and Gavin Rohrbach; one brother, Buel (Eunice) Swiggum and one sister, Maxine Swiggum of Decorah, IA; and many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice, Aase Haugen Home, Lutheran World Relief or a charity of choice.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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