Earl Hubert Swanson Sr.

ABERDEEN - Earl Hubert Swanson Sr., 81, Aberdeen, died Thursday, May 5, 2011, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital.

Earl Hubert Swanson Sr., son of Sidney John and Irene Ivonna (Hall) Swanson was born May 21, 1929, in Hawley, Minn. His family moved to Moorhead, Minn., where he began his education. His family later moved to Leola, where he graduated from Leola High School with the class of 1947. He entered the U.S. Army and was stationed in Texas. He was honorably discharged and returned to

Leola.

He was united in marriage to Marveline Weisser in 1954. He entered the family business and became a baker and bakery owner. He owned bakeries in Ashley, N.D., Selby and Ipswich. In the late 1970s, he moved to Milford, Iowa, where he worked as a baker and later a chef. He retired in 1990 and moved to Aberdeen.

Earl loved to bake for family and friends all of his life. He collected coin sets for his children and was an avid Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan.

He was a member of United Methodist Church in Leola, the American Legion for 55 years and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Survivors include three sons, Earl H. (Lynne) Swanson Jr. of Steamboat Springs, Colo., Alan J. Swanson of Rapid City, and Dirk S. (Laure) Swanson of Aberdeen; a daughter, Valerie A. (Clyde) Hodson of Ipswich; four grandchildren, Heidi (Chris) Forred, Leah Swanson and Larissa Swanson, all of Aberdeen, and Daron Vodraska of Alpharetta, Ga.; three great-grandchildren, Alexys, Brie and Caden Forred; three sisters, Bonita Anne Gill of Leola, Shirley Irene (Joe) Zrelak of Victorville, Calif., and Diane Marie (Jim) Sitter of Aberdeen; two brothers, James Edward (Maxine) Swanson of Madison, and Jerome Allen (Diane) Swanson of Volga; and several nieces and nephews and dogs.

His parents, a brother, Sidney John "Tubby" Swanson, and a good friend, Elaine, preceded him in death.

Services were held May 8, at the United Methodist Church in Leola, with the Rev. Jerome Swanson officiating and military rites by Roy S. Hickman American Legion Post 78. Burial will be at a later date at Green Mound Cemetery in Leola.

Casketbearers were Clyde Hodson, Daron Vodraska, Justin Fuller, Andy Sitter, Jason Gill and Kerry Gill.

Memorials may be sent to United Methodist Church, c/o Merilee Beck, PO Box 192, Leola, SD 57456.

Carlsen Funeral Home and Crematory of Aberdeen handled arrangements.

www.carlsenfh.com.