Terry Lee Swenson 1957- 2011

SWENSON HEBERT BRUCE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/24/2012 at 13:23:14

Sioux City Journal
June 05, 2011

Terry Lee Swenson, 53, of Sioux City passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at Holy Spirit Retirement Home.

A celebration of his life service will be at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service. Online condolences may be left at www.waterburyfuneralserviceinc.com.

Terry was born Dec. 26, 1957, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Sioux City, to his parents, Jerry Swenson ad Deanna Hebert. He attended Everett Elementary, West Middle and West High School, graduating in 1976.

Terry married Kathy Bruce in 1983, becoming a father to Stacey. He began working at Sioux Tools in 1976, and worked there until it closed in 1985. He attended Western Iowa Tech, where he obtained a heating and cooling degree. He then opened his own heating and cooling business. In 1977, Terry started a band called The Lonestar Band which performed extensively in Siouxland, including opening for the Bellamy Brothers. Terry was the lead singer and rhythm guitar player. This continued until 1987, when Terry was diagnosed with ALS and could no longer play.

Terry's love for sports cars transformed into a drag racing hobby after he restored a 1968 Barracuda. Along with Bill Vogt, he became the national streetcar drag racing champion in 1993. His car was featured in Hot Rod Magazine and Drag Racing Monthly.

Terry fought a courageous battle with ALS for 24 years, and was cared for by his mother and other family members in his own home for 23 of those years. Terry's sense of humor and good spirit combined to create a thoughtful, charming man who drew in people around him and contributed to a lifelong, meaningful friendship.

Terry is survived by his father, Jerry Swenson; his mother, Deanna Larvick of Sioux City; his sister, Jayme Stafford and her fiance, Dan Wyant of Sioux City; his brother, Todd Stafford and his son, Brayden of Sioux City; his daughter, Stacey and her fiance, Matthias Holke of Chicago, Ill.; his beloved Aunt Norma and Uncle Pat Alvarez of Anchorage, Alaska; his beloved Aunt Ruth Friedenbach of Sioux City; and many cousins and nephews.

We would like to give a special thank you to Hospice of Siouxland, the ALS support group of Sioux City, MDA, and Holy Spirit Retirement Home for their support and loving care.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Siouxland, MDA, and Holy Spirit Retirement Home.