Roy Swanson
February 22, 1926 ~ June 23, 2012
Roy A. Swanson, 86, of Brandon, SD, died Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Southridge Care Center in Sioux Falls.
Family visitation will be Tuesday, June 26, 2012, from 6 to 8pm at Heartland Funeral Home with a Scripture Vigil at 7pm. Memorial Services will be at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at Risen Savior Catholic Church with Fr. Paul Rutton officiating. Burial will follow at St. Michael Cemetery in Sioux Falls with full military honors.
Roy Anthony Swanson was born February 22, 1926, to Roy and Julia (Konshak) Swanson in Huron, SD. He went to St. Teresa Catholic School and graduated from Huron High School. He was drafted into the U.S Army and served in WWII. When he returned home from the war, he met Phyllis Muilenburg at a dance. They dated for 3 years before they were married at St. Martin’s in Huron on May 27, 1950. Roy worked as an engineer for the South Dakota Department of Transportation. This career took their family of four children to Miller, Pierre, and Springfield, SD for the next 40 years and 40 days. Roy retired in 1988 and eventually settled in Brandon, SD in 1991.
Roy liked construction and tinkering with projects that included intricate detail, such as model airplanes and cars, crossword puzzles, computer games, and playing cards. He once took apart a Model A and rebuilt it in the basement of the family home. Roy will long be remembered as a Bingo caller in Huron for many years. He was known for his sense of humor and compassion, from teasing the waitresses at the café, to bringing popcorn to the girls at City Hall, to hiding candy in the car for his grandkids to find on the ride home. Roy was a member of Risen Savior Catholic Church, Brandon V.F.W Post 4726 and the American Legion.
Roy is survived by his wife, Phyllis; four children, Sandy (Michael) McNutt, Huron, Robert (Ronda) Swanson, Pierre, Roger (Sandi) Swanson, Wichita, KS, and Nancy (William) Crapser, Sioux Falls,; 10 grandchildren, Jamie McNutt and Eric McNutt of Huron, Roy Swanson and Laura Bowman of Pierre, Rachael Swanson and Andrea Swanson of Wichita, Beowulf Crapser, Gideon Crapser, Morrigan Crapser, and Tyr Crapser of Sioux Falls; 5 great-grandchildren, Dillon, Jamez, Dalton, Emlyn, and Travis; 3 brothers, Richard (Sherry) Swanson of Huron, Lyle (Janet) Swanson of Huron, and James Swanson of Janesville WI; 2 sisters, Mary Kuhns of Huron and Margret Greschke of Huron; and sister’s-in-law, Betty Swanson of Fullerton, CA and Helen Swanson of Billings, MT. Brother-in-law Rolland Muilenburg of Montana and sister-in-law Audrey Shimer of Rapid City SD.
He was preceded death by his parents and his two brothers William and Thomas and his 2 brothers-in-law Wayne Shimer and Ed Greschke.
Mary and I were together when we heard about Uncle Roy. Your family is definitely in our thoughts. We are sorry we will not be able to be there for you. We hope you will find some comfort in the friends and family that are able to be with you during this time.
Love you ,
Terry and Mary and our families.
I was a friend of Roy’s in high school, and we lost track of each other during the war.
Sorry for you lose, he was a good friend.
Sincerly, Richard
To Rob,Ronda, Roy, and Laura and families; I am so sorry about the loss of your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather…my thoughts and deepest heart felt condolences to you during this difficult time. You are all in my prayers.
Dear Phyllis, I was saddened to hear of Roys passing.He was always nice to me. You and Roy were one of the first people I met when I moved here in 1999. Anytime I did decorating at the VFW in Brandon( or anything else )Roy would make a point to check my work, if it wasn’t up to his Liking he’d let me know. He’d shake his head or give me a “Well Done Kid “. From Roy that was a “Gold Star”. For all his Gruffness he did let some see his Softer Side, sometimes. I can just picture him holding Inspection the Angels, ” Halos Straight, Wings Slanted 80 degrees, Robes Ironed”. I guess it takes Anal to know Anal, and I’m Glad I had the chance to know him. Just know that Roy will be missed by many, myself included.I am so sorry for your loss.
My thoughts and Prayers are with you and your Family. Sincerely, Freddy Fox