Darrell H. Swanson

Darrell Herbert Swanson was born March 22, 1936, on a farm in Long Branch in Shelby County, Iowa, the son of Herbert and Irene (Stolz) Swanson. He attended Country Schools in Crawford County, Iowa where he grew up working on his father's farm with his brothers. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth (Betty) Blume on April 12, 1955. Darrell was a hard worker and worked many jobs over the next ten years in Dunlap and Harlan together with six years as the City Marshall of Fonda, Iowa. He built his first home for his family in Fonda. He moved his family back to Denison, Iowa, in 1965, where he eventually went on to build three more family homes, including the home where he raised his children, an acreage called "The Four Winds." He began a business partnership with his brother Jerry Swanson managing a 7-Up Bottling Distributing Company for 15 years. Darrell subsequently moved on to build his own carpentry business and start a hog raising farm. Darrell began working at Farmland Foods at nights in 1978 and retired from there after 20 years in 1998. His most cherished accomplishment was being the father of nine children and his 55 year marriage to Betty. Darrell enjoyed playing his guitar and singing to his children, hunting, fishing, auto racing, football, and spending the winter months in Texas. He was a member of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison. He joined the Knights of Columbus and was knighted to the 4th degree on May 5, 2006, in Des Moines, Iowa. Darrell died July 29th, 2010 at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, NE. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 74 years, 4 months and 7 days. Darrell was preceded in death by his parents Herb and Irene Swanson and two brothers Richard and Eugene. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his spouse Betty and nine children: Cheryl (Dan) Riley, Spencer; Alan (Victoria) Swanson, Des Moines; Rita Swanson, Denison; Roxanne (Robert) Townsend, Denison; Katherine Nielsen, Denison; Darrell John (Judy) Swanson, Grimes; Donna Joy Plattner, Omaha; Lori (Mark) O'Meara, West Des Moines; Janice Swanson (Steve Graff), Ankeny; 21 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren; ; six siblings: Darlene (Vernon) Reis, Denison; Jerry (Carol) Swanson, Denison; Judy (Richard) Brodersen, Denison; Patricia (Tom) Getty, Alpharetta, GA; Gail Swanson, Davenport; and Corrine (Richard) Bogart, Omaha, NE; other relatives and friends. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 3, 2010, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison with Father Paul Kelly as Celebrant. Those participating in the Mass included Servers: Brianne O’Meara and Emily Townsend; Lector: Judy Brodersen; Gift Bearers: Lori O’Meara and Katherine Nielsen; and Eucharistic Ministers: Darlene Reis, Nora Millea and Barb Songer. Music for the Mass was provided by St. Rose of Lima Adult Choir singing “Amazing Grace” “Surely the Presence of the Lord” “On Eagles Wings” and “How Great Thou Art” with Jean Cornelius serving as accompanist. Those serving as pallbearers included Sara Swanson, Nathan Nielsen, Tiffany Nelson, Jeff Swanson, Travis Riley and Joshua Nielsen. Interment was at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery in Denison. Following the interment all were invited to return to the Parish Center and join the family in fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by St. Rose of Lima Ladies Guild. Visitation was held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 2, 2010, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison where a Legion of Rosary was prayed at 4:30 p.m. and a Parish Vigil Service, led by Father Paul Kelly, was held at 6:00 p.m. The Presentation of the Chalice was conducted by the Knight of Columbus, Denison Council #2074. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com was in charge of arrangements.