Swanson, Donald Lee 1938 - 2025

SWANSON, HARPER, OLSGARD, SWANSON-BOREK, TURNER, GREIMAN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/14/2025 at 14:23:04

U.S. VETERAN
Donald Lee Swanson, 86, passed away suddenly at his home in Decorah, IA on February 3, 2025, from complications related to his battle with cancer.

Don grew up in Sweet Home, OR with his older brother Bernard Swanson, born to Lloyd and Marie Swanson, on November 23, 1938. He honorably served our country in the U.S. Navy, from 1961-1966, then lived in Chariton, IA, where he met his wife, Sandra (Sandy) Lee Swanson, for the majority of his remaining years. Don and Sandy were married in July of 1968 and had two daughters together, Kristin and Kerry Swanson.

He worked in the maintenance department for the Hy-Vee Warehouse & Distribution Center in Chariton for nearly 40 years, retiring and returning to work part time, a total of three times! His dedication and hard work for the company gained him many friends and fishing buddies along the way. He enjoyed old westerns (Gunsmoke), Old Milwaukee beer, watching NFL football and college basketball, rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes, gardening, and going for cruises around Lake Rathbun or anywhere the road would take him on his Sunday drive. He had a true passion for fishing and spent many years vacationing at Bull Shoals lake in Diamond City, AR.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Marie Swanson, and his sister-in-law, Verline Swanson. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sandra Swanson, his brother Bernard Swanson, daughters Kristin Swanson (Austin Harper) and Kerry Swanson (Jeremy Olsgard), four grandchildren, Alyssa, Zoe, Ella and Blake, nieces Gail Noel (Mike) and Nora Swanson-Borek (Robert), and sisters-in-law Dianna Turner (Beecher) and Sharon Greiman (Dan).

No services are planned at this time.

Source: Helms Funeral Home database