Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
James Swanson Obituary
Born: May 26, 1959 in Aberdeen, WA
Died: November 8, 2023 in Milton, WI
James (Jamie) Harold Swanson, 64, formerly of Streator, passed away unexpectedly November 8th of heart failure. Born May 26, 1959 to Harold and Berit (Nordquist) Swanson in Aberdeen, WA he graduated from Wauwatosa East HS in 1977, earned his bachelor's degree from UW Madison, Masters in Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and Doctorate of Ministry from Dubuque Theological Seminary. Jamie spent over 30 years in ministry serving churches in LeSueur, MN, Streator, IL, and Janesville, WI. He found true joy serving and connecting with the people in those congregations and communities.
Jamie married Sharon (Keane) on July 24, 1982. Their first home together was an old one-room schoolhouse on the Wisconsin prairie. A loving father, he filled the lives of their growing family with outdoor adventures, from backpacking to family camping trips in his 1957 Bambi Airstream. Jamie loved to be out on the water paddling, but if he wasn't exploring the world from the seat of a canoe he was elbow-deep in the engines of old cars, his other favorite form of transportation. He loved to tell stories, whether to family at dinner, in his weekly sermon, writing The View From the Bricks column in the Times Press, or the Swanson Family Newsliar. Jamie had a gift for connecting with people and shared his Christian faith in many ways throughout his life. In recent years he shared his struggles, especially with sobriety, with his friends in AA and deeply valued this community.
He is survived by his brother David (Debbie) Swanson, sisters Chris (Bruce) Johnson and Marie (Paul) Egeland, wife Sharon, children Ingrid (Eric) Riggs, Julia (Caleb Stripes) Swanson, Erik (Emily) Swanson, and six grandchildren whom he adored.
The funeral will be held on Thursday, November 16th at 11 am at St. Mary Parish of Milton. A burial is planned in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.
The family requests memorial gifts be directed to St. Mary Parish, the Ice Age Trail Alliance, or Wisconsin Public Radio (WERN/WXPR).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Swanson
Beth (Buri) Rahn
December 18, 2023
Have been trying to reconnect with Sharon and Jamie and just found this obituary. So sorry for your loss. I have lovely memories of gatherings with you at that sweet little schoolhouse.
Debi (Johnson) Lehmann
November 16, 2023
I remember going up with Jamie, Chris, David and Marie at Perseverance Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee. He was a great guy, always making us laugh and an always present smile. I was truly sorry to hear of his passing.
Debi (Johnson) Lehmann
Rev Betty Weidert
November 16, 2023
Sorry for your family's loss. I was greatly blessed to have Jamie as my mentor when I started in ministry. I loved his enthusiasm for life and dedication to his family. You are in my prayers.
Jamey Walter
November 16, 2023
"Deepest sympathies. I was an a Presbytery committee with Dr. Swanson and as we shared the same first name, I knew him affectionately as "Jamie Sr." Such a wonderful man to share ideas, discernment and laughs with. I hope you find comfort in knowing that, as I'm sure many will attest to, he had a positive impact and left a lasting impression upon me that I won't forget. Rest in peace
Chris Aubry
November 14, 2023
I am so sorry for your loss, Julia. Thinking of you and your family. Your dad was such a nice guy.
Sara Barlass
November 14, 2023
Jamie was the minister at Rock Prairie Church where my family has worshipped for years and years! He was so very kind and helpful to us, especially when my father, Marvin passed away in 2008 and again when my mother Alice passed in 2021 (even though he was no longer the pastor) He was still so gracious and thoughtful. Rest in peace, Pastor Jamie.
Marna Jacobi
November 13, 2023
I remember camping with Sharon and Jamie when we were all young newlyweds. Jamie was cooking chicken over the campfire. It began pouring rain. The rest of us wanted to seek shelter and give up on those dinner plans. Not Jamie! We ended up eating great, wet chicken!
Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results
Make a Donation
in James Swanson's name
Memorial Events
for James Swanson
How to support James's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor James Swanson's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
