John A. “Jack” Swanson, 82, of Wessington Springs, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at the Prairie View Healthcare Community in Woonsocket, under hospice care from Avera at Home-Mitchell.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 18, at the United Church of Christ in Wessington Springs with Rev. Sara Olson Dean officiating. Burial was in Hope Cemetery, rural Wessington Springs. Visitation with a 6 p.m. prayer service was Friday, March 17 at the church.
Jack was born June 2, 1934, in Wessington Springs to Albert and Louise (Helland) Swanson. He graduated from Wessingon Springs High School in 1952. Jack farmed on the family farm eight miles west of Wessington Springs most of his life. He grew up there with his mother and four siblings, Eugene, Helen, James and Myrna. After his father passed away in 1941, the family continued to live and farm there.
Jack was drafted into the Army in 1956, where he proudly served for two years at Fort Bragg, NC as a helicopter mechanic. After his discharge, he joined the National Guard.
Jack and Mary (Holeton) were united in marriage on Oct. 25, 1964. They continued to live on the family farm and raised their five children. Jack’s philosophy for farming was to leave the land better than he found it; therefore, he was on the Soil Conservation board for 37 years.
Jack served 12 years on the school board and was awarded a plaque in 1996 for serving as treasurer for the Old Settler’s picnic for 25 years. He was also on the Hope Cemetery Board, and he was a member of the Templeton Church, where he was Sunday school superintendent, teacher, clerk and treasurer for many years.
He enjoyed playing games, cards, snowmobiling and making homemade ice cream for birthdays. Jack was a dedicated farmer and great neighbor, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Jack is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Annette (Robert) Kroger of Mitchell, Helen (Rodney) Huisman of Wessington Springs, Jeanette Voorhees and Stephanie Swanson of Mitchell, and Eric Swanson of Wessington Springs; nine grandchildren; one great-granddaughter and one on the way; several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents, siblings, and many family members.
-
Weather
WoonsocketMarch 23, 2023, 12:08 pm28°Freal feel: 37°Fhumidity: 81%wind speed: 2 mph NNEwind gusts: 4 mphUpcoming Events
March 2023 SSunday MMonday TTuesday WWednesday TThursday FFriday SSaturday 26February 26, 2023 27February 27, 2023 28February 28, 2023 1March 1, 2023 2March 2, 2023 3March 3, 2023 4March 4, 2023 5March 5, 2023 6March 6, 2023 7March 7, 2023 8March 8, 2023 9March 9, 2023 10March 10, 2023 11March 11, 2023 12March 12, 2023 13March 13, 2023 14March 14, 2023 15March 15, 2023 16March 16, 2023 17March 17, 2023 18March 18, 2023 19March 19, 2023 20March 20, 2023 21March 21, 2023 22March 22, 2023 23March 23, 2023 24March 24, 2023 25March 25, 2023 26March 26, 2023 27March 27, 2023 28March 28, 2023 29March 29, 2023 30March 30, 2023 31March 31, 2023 1April 1, 2023 -
Recent Posts
Contact Us
Archives
Tweet