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.