Bertil Swanson

IRON MOUNTAIN - Bertil F. Swanson, 84, of 1104 Stockbridge Ave. in Iron Mountain, died peacefully on Thursday, July 6, 2006, at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba. Bertil was born Sept. 30, 1921, in Spread Eagle, Wis. He was the son of the late Einar and Emma (Danielson) Swanson. Bertil graduated from Quinnesec High School. He left this area after high school to pursue his military career in the U.S. Air Force. Bertil served during World War II as a bomber pilot. He continued his military career after the war and retired as chief master sergeant with more than 40 years with the Air Force. Bertil married Margaret (Erickson) Wittock on April 28, 1992, at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. He was a member of First Covenant Church and attended St. Mary and St. Joseph Church. Bertil was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing bridge. He raised, trained and showed German shepards. He was also involved in Boy Scouts, LIttle League, and Youth Choir. Bertil is survived by, his son, Ronald Swanson of Las Vegas; stepchildren, Sharon (Clem) Bergstrom of Iron Mountain, Judy (Jack) Beauchamp of Riverview, Fla. and Kenneth (Beth) Wittock of Reno, Nev.; a granddaughter, Jennifer Hendrick of Hampton, Va.; a great-grandson, Christopher Hendrick; several step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Philip and Barbara Gustafson, Carl and Margaret Gustafson, Alice and Larry Linville, Ellen Ortiz, Yvonne and Mel Stephan and David Swanson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace "Betty" Smith-Swanson; a brother, David Swanson and a sister, Elvie Gustafson. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday at First Covenant Church in Iron Mountain. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will in the columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to First Covenant Church of Iron Mountain. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Bertil Swanson online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home is assisting the family with the funeral arrangements.

Bertil Swanson

July 6, 1922 - July 6, 2006