Jelmer "Gus" Swoboda

Gus Swoboda passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, March 14, 2025. We will miss him, but we will find solace in a life well lived. His 9-year battle with Parkinson's disease is finally over. He can now join his wife Penny in heaven.
Jelmer Gus Swoboda was born April 20, 1935 in Bluegrass, North Dakota to Adolph and Madge Schwab Swoboda. He attended high school in Hazen and Richardton, North Dakota. He graduated from Bismarck Junior College and served two years in the US Army -101st Airborne. He said his years in the Army were the best two-year learning experience of his life. After his service in the Army, Gus graduated from the University of Wisconsin -Madison in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
Upon graduation from college, Gus signed on with Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and worked there for 38+ years. His career started in Sheboygan as a gas engineer, moving on to stops in Rhinelander, Two Rivers, Oshkosh, Stevens Point, Marinette and ending in Green Bay. He retired in 1997 as a senior vice president. He was very grateful to have worked for the same company throughout his career and enjoyed the great mentors and teammates that he worked with along the way.
Gus met the love of his life Penny, while they were both working at Wisconsin Public Service in Rhinelander, WI. They were married shortly after in 1963. They enjoyed the next 48 years together living life to the fullest. They treasured the friendships they formed over the years. Gus attributed much of his success to Penny's influence and support. She preceded him in death in 2011.
Gus took great pleasure in volunteering his time to improve the communities he lived in. He participated in numerous activities including the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Kiwanis, the Neville Public Museum, the United Way, the Green Bay Botanical Garden and the YMCA. Gus served on the board of directors of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, Neighborhood Housing Services, First Northern Savings, Bank Mutual, American Medical Security, University of Wisconsin Green Bay Founders Association, and Pelican Harbour Condo Association. His Catholic faith was a significant part of his life. He was actively involved in his parish in Green Bay, serving as a trustee at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral and as an active men's club member at St. Mary Star of The Sea in Longboat Key, FL.
Gus enjoyed running, golfing, pickleball, fishing, and hunting. He cherished many years of whitetail deer hunts in Amherst Junction, WI, with his longtime friends the Ellingsons along with his mule deer and elk hunting trips in Montana with Ken Ward and friends. He loved spending time with his family and friends at his cottage on the bay of Green Bay and at his condo on Longboat Key, FL. He particularly valued attending family reunions with both the Swoboda and Schwab families in North Dakota.
Gus received many accolades for his life accomplishments, but the most important reward was his close loving family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was proud of all of them and made a strong effort to develop his relationship with each of them. He had a quiet confidence about him and always tried to exhibit a positive attitude in his support of his family. He is survived by his daughters, Renee (Mike) Vanden Busch, Nicole (Ayham) AlBoushi & Andrea (Tim) Swoboda. His grandchildren: Wally (Camilla) Vanden Busch, Nate (Brianna) Vanden Busch, Najah (Kinto) AlBoushi, Zaina AlBoushi, Gwen Dahlin, Gus (Breigh) Dahlin, Max Dahlin, Lex Dahlin, Eddie Dahlin and his great grandchildren: Haxton and Hazel Dahlin and Gus Vanden Busch. He is also survived by his step grandchildren Cassie Kubale, Zak Kubale and Noah Kubale, his sister, JoAnn Nestrud, brother-in-law, Barry Wilson, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friend Julie Brogan.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Penny, his parents and in-laws John & Gladys Pommerening, siblings Jerry (Luella) Swoboda, Joyce (Dan) Wessley, Justine Wilson, Jeff Swoboda and other extended family.
Gus will be missed by his family and friends, neighbors, and colleagues that he met on his life journey. He was a kind-hearted man who impacted this world in a very positive way. Gus's family would like to thank his caregivers and friends at the Bellevue Retirement Community, Unity Hospice, and Bellin Hospital 1 South. You helped make his last few months and days safe, comfortable, and peaceful. We appreciate the care you provided Gus and the support and guidance you provided to our family.
Visitation will be on Thursday March 27, 2025 from 9:00am – 10:45am at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, 140 S Monroe Ave., Green Bay, WI. Funeral mass to follow at 11:00am with Father Ryan Krueger officiating. The funeral will be live streamed at https://www.sfxcathedralgb.com/live-streaming
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting lyndahl.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at michaeljfox.org or Unity Hospice at unityhospice.org
The Lyndahl Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements.