David Lee Swanson Jr.

David Lee Swanson Jr., 68 of Colo, passed away Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Story Medical Center in Nevada.
Dave was born February 16, 1957, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of David Lee Swanson, Sr. and Donna Jean Lind. He graduated from Colo High School in 1975. David worked at Swanson's Hardware in Colo, a business the family owned from 1973 until 2006. He also worked as a paramedic for Midwest Ambulance in Des Moines and was a volunteer on the Colo Fire and Rescue Department. In 1985, Dave was united in marriage to Rebecca Deupree at the Colo United Methodist Church.
Dave was an avid fan of the Iowa State Cyclones and the Kansas City Chiefs. He especially enjoyed the annual family trip to the Amana Colonies and spending the 4th of July in Gowrie. Dave loved the thrill of roller coasters at Silver Dollar City, Worlds of Fun, and Adventureland. In his early years he loved being the DJ at Granddaddy's in Ames. Dave always supported his kids and grandchildren in all their activities and sports. He was such a passionate fan, he had recently been thrown out of a game for giving the refs a hard time.
Dave is survived by his wife, Becky; his daughters, Angie Gearhart (Wade) and April Swanson (Charles); his grandchildren Jayden, Natalie, Hunter, and Fischer. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Diana Meier, and his grandson Tanner Doran.
A visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home (1418 Fawcett Pkwy) in Nevada. His funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 14, 2025, also at the funeral home with Pastor David Burling officiating. Interment will follow at the Colo Cemetery in Colo.
Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada has been entrusted with caring for Dave and his family. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.