Richard Swanson

Richard Orville Swanson, born February 27, 1952 to Orville and Lillian (Sodeman) Swanson, passed away Friday, November 1, 2013, at the age of 61. Richard was baptized at Augustana Lutheran Church in St. James, Minnesota, and was also confirmed there. From an early age, Richard actively farmed with his father on their century farm north of St. James. He was the fourth generation to farm at the family's original homestead, where he still lived at the time of his death. Richard graduated from St. James High School in 1970 after having been very active in FFA, football and 4H. He obtained the highest FFA award of American Farmer. He also loved to show pigs at the county and state fairs and at numerous other Midwestern hog shows, well after graduation from high school. After his high school graduation, Richard attended Jackson Vocational Technical School for two years and returned home to farm the family farm. In 1970 he joined the Minnesota National Guard, where he served for six years. On June 24, 1978, Richard married Suzann Olson at Augustana Lutheran Church. They were married for 35 years, and have two sons, Joshua Richard and Brady Orville. Richard and his sons so enjoyed hunting and fishing together. Richard is survived by his wife, Suzann; his two sons, Joshua (Katie) Swanson and Brady Swanson; four grandchildren, Jacey, Journey, Hadley and Nash Swanson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Lillian Swanson, and stepmother, Corinne Swanson. First Visitation 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Sunday, November 3, 2013 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Second Visitation 9:30 am - 10:30 am Monday, November 4, 2013 Augustana Lutheran Church- St. James 603 Armstrong Blvd. N. PO Box 151 Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 10:30 am Monday, November 4, 2013 Augustana Lutheran Church- St. James 603 Armstrong Blvd. N. PO Box 151 Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Mt. Hope Cemetery, St. James S. CR 27 St. James, Minnesota, United States