Richard Swanson

"Richard Swanson" NORWAY - Richard L. "Dick" Swanson, 71, of Norway, entered into the presence of his Lord on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003. He passed away peacefully at his home with his wife and children at his side. Dick was born March 29, 1932, in Kingsford, son of the late Conrad and Ruby (Morrison) Swanson of Norway. He spent most of his childhood in Hermansville, moving to Norway in 1948 and graduating from Norway High School in 1950. Dick attended Northern Michigan University and also Dundon's Business School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1952-1954. He married the former Doris Peterson on Oct. 23, 1954, at Covenant Church in Norway. He worked for his father for three years in the logging business and then started his career as a business manager, working for 37 years. He worked for Anderson Motors and Edwards Chevrolet in Iron Mountain and the last 17 years before his retirement, from Coyne Chevrolet in Escanaba. Dick held the Council of Business Managers outstanding performance awarded to Chevrolet dealer accountants for 35 years. It is given for expertise in General Motors accounting throughout the Green Bay, Wis. and Flint, lower Michigan zone. He was an avid Cub and Lions fan and loved to work crossword puzzles. He was well-known for his quick wit. In the past, he held various offices at Immanuel Baptist Church, where he was a member. Dick is survived by his wife, Doris; two sons, Gary (Mary) Swanson of Owosso, lower Michigan and Brian (Lisa) Swanson of Norway; a daughter, Doreen (Rodd) Wilson of Norway; his grandchildren who were the pride of his life, including four grandsons, Brent Swanson of Norway, Erik and Jeremy Wilson of Norway and Aaron Swanson of Owosso and two granddaughters, Keri Sue (fiance' Bob Amundson) Swanson of Norway and Sara Marie Swanson of Owosso; a brother, Wayne (Patsy) Swanson of Kingsford; two sisters, Shirley Deau of Hagerstown, Md. and Constance Swanson of Norway; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Carmen Smeberg. Visitation will be held Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain and on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church in Kingsford. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. at the church. Rev. Ronald Wolfe and Rev. James Danielson will officiate. Burial will be in the Norway Township Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Lloyd Pryor, Elwood Anderson, Ron Hulce, Paul Leverson, Earl Person and Jerry Kriegl. A memorial will be established in his memory. Condolences may be expressed to the Richard Swanson family online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with funeral arrangements.

Richard Swanson

March 29, 1932 - November 18, 2003