Leo G. Swanson

Leo G. Swanson, 82 of Devils Lake, ND died on Monday, October 11, 2010 at Mercy Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Funeral Services for Leo will be held on Friday, October 15, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Jackie Bernacchi will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Leo will be his grandsons, Chris Bakken, Jason Swanson, Jeremy Swanson, Todd Swanson and Ryan Swanson. Honorary Bearers will be Leo’s granddaughters, Coty Bakken, Tara Bakken, Amy Lee, Melissa Johnston, Jade Johnston, Jennifer Swanson and Sandra Johnston. Leo George Swanson was born on August 9, 1928 at Madison, Wisconsin, the son of Rudolph and Ethel (Charboneau) Swanson. At a young age, he moved with his family to the Brimsmade area where he attended a country school in Mission Township and later attended Devils Lake Central High School. In his younger years, Leo helped his father haul coal in the Lake Region area. On March 4, 1950, Leo was united in marriage to Ruth Romdalvik at Devils Lake. They established their home on land they purchased south of Devils Lake and this would be the place they would live, work and raise their family their entire life together. In January of 1951 Leo was called to serve his country in the United States Army, serving stateside until his honorable discharge on February 14, 1952 with the rank of Sergeant. After his discharge, Leo began working as a Mail Carrier for the United States Postal Service and continued as Mail Carrier for over 36 years. Leo also started his own company, Swanson Gravel in 1954. The business continues today as a father-mother-son operation. Leo was a member of the Eagles Lodge, Elks Lodge and was also a Past Commander of the American Legion in Fort Totten. Leo was an honest, hard-working man, devoted husband and provider to his family. He was proud of all his children and was very happy when they were able to take over in the mail business and the gravel business. But he truly loved being “grandpa” and wanted each of them to know how special they were to him and yet treating each of them and anyone he met fairly with no favoritism was foremost. Leo’s friends were also very special to him and he loved to socialize with good conversation and a good cup of coffee. We are thankful for the many years we had Leo as husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and dear friend. He will be forever loved and forever in our hearts. Leo is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruth; children Leo Richard Swanson of Devils Lake, Gene Swanson and his wife Lori of Starkweather, ND and Patty and her husband Gene Bakken also of Devils Lake; eleven grandchildren Todd Swanson, Amy (Darin) Lee, Ryan Swanson; Jason (Jennifer) Swanson, Jeremy Swanson, Sandra Johnston, Melissa Johnston, Jade Johnston and Jennifer Swanson; Chris Bakken and Coty Bakken; seven great grandchildren Brandon Swanson, Austin Lee, Brady Lee, Seth Lang, Presten Swanson, Makaila Swanson and Attesyn Swanson;sisters Leona and her husband Don Schell of Penn, ND and Viola Dionne of Fargo, ND; several nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Leo was preceded in death by his parents and great grandson Coltan Swanson.