Lowell Walter Swanson

Lowell Walter Swanson, a husband, father, soldier, farmer and friend to all who knew him, passed away Wednesday, February 13, at the age of 84. An Iowa farm boy, if there ever was one, Lowell was born August 17, 1928, to Walter Floyd and Frances Carrie (Erickson) Swanson on a farm north of Boxholm. He was the third of four boys born to the couple. Lowell was preceded in death by his loving wife Kathleen, with whom he raised a family and built a life, in and around Dayton for many years. Lowell attended Dayton schools for 12 years and graduated from Dayton High School in 1946. He worked on the family farm while growing up and hauled milk for Jensen Dairy. Lowell and Kathleen were married on December 2, 1950, in Garnavillo, Iowa, during a memorable ice storm. They survived the storm, but there was little time for a honeymoon, as Lowell joined the Army and went to boot camp at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin in February 1951. Lowell shipped out to Korea in the fall of 1951 and returned to the states in December 1952. Lowell was proud of his military service and was a long time member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. In the mid-1950's Lowell and Kathleen farmed west of Dayton. In 1957 they moved northwest of Pilot Mound before moving into town in 1988. In 1991 Lowell officially retired from farming allowing him more time to grow closer with neighbors and friends. With Lowell's passing the world will be missing a few things. There won't be as many pretty woven cloth rugs made on his loom, packages of Grandpa's special chocolate chip cookies or bags of beef jerky, all family favorites. No doubt, Dayton and other nearby communities will be lacking one of their most committed and long-serving volunteers. Lowell was active in many community projects and efforts over the years, including volunteering at the Dayton store, setting up holiday lights at the park, placing flags at the cemeteries on Memorial Day, working at the annual Labor Day rodeo and mentoring young students at the local elementary school. In one memorable effort, Lowell and his brother Gordy worked tirelessly to help raise money to purchase an aviary for the Grandview Care Center. Lowell was a 50-year member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Dayton. He served on the board and was active in the church in many ways. As a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, Lowell will be missed by many. Along with his parents and his wife, Lowell was preceded in death by his brothers Vern (Maxine) Swanson and Gordy (Darlene) Swanson. Lowell is survived by his five children: Christine (Dennis) Daniels of Waverly, IA; Sandra Swanson of Weymouth, MA; Charles (Judy) Swanson of Dayton IA; Barbara (John) Smalley of Verona, WI; and Debra (Jerry) Schlieman of Boone, IA. Lowell is also survived by 14 grandchildren: Michelle (Joe) Haller, Karyn (Ben) Schulte, Lindsay (Rich) Speidel, Matthew (Leah) Daniels; Jeremy (Alison) Swanson, Courtney (Jason) Walter, Kiley Swanson; Rachel Smalley, Andrew Smalley, Emma Smalley, Abigail Smalley, Bradley Schlieman, Jennifer Schlieman, Daniel Schlieman; and seven great-grandchildren: Ethan, Alayna, Callie and Lyndie Schulte; Lucas and Sarah Haller; and Joley Swanson. He is also survived by his brother Keith (Berniece) Swanson. A memorial service was held Monday, February 18, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Dayton, Iowa. Visitation was Sunday, February 17 from 3-6 p.m. Memorial contributions will be used at the discretion of the family of Lowell Swanson. Carson-Stapp Funeral Home in Dayton assisted the family with arrangements.