John E. Swanson

1956 - 2022

Sadly we announce that John E Swanson passed away on July 8th at Bethel Home after having a large stroke this past fall. He was born on Jan 30, 1956 to Alvin and Violet Swanson in Marinette, WI.

He joined the National Guard in 1976 and was part of the 32nd Infantry Division/Brigade of Army National Guard, 127th Infantry Regiment and was a medic with them retiring in 1997 with 21yrs of service as a SSG E6. He was awarded Medic of the Year in 1978 and he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for saving the life of the Battalions Sgt Major when he had a heart attack. He was very proud of his military career.

He loved the emergency medical field which developed when he became a basic EMT and volunteered with the Emergency Rescue Squad in Marinette. He came down to Oshkosh to further his career and worked for Oshkosh Ambulance Co and Metro Ambulance. He went back to school to get his paramedic license. He then proudly worked for Gold Cross Ambulance for 25yrs and was very proud of them and his career there. He made many friendships that became like a 2nd family. While doing all of this he also worked at Mercy Medical Center for 32 years working in the Emergency Room and the last 5 years working as a telemetry monitor. He thoroughly enjoyed his co-workers and it was like a 2nd family as well. He loved to be able to help people and use his knowledge to do so. He was always particular and thorough in doing the best job possible for good outcome.

He married Linda Spanbauer in September 1985 and they enjoyed a long marriage filled with many fun moments. Enjoying cruises and going to Door County each year brought us much joy. We never tired of going and he became a fan of light houses.
John's hobbies included fly fishing, hunting, light houses and spending time at the family cabin. Family and friends were important to him.

He was a member of First United Methodist church in Oshkosh and cared very much for the church family and helping out on projects when he could. He had many friends there that meant so much to him.

He is survived by his wife Linda, sister Linda Peterson (Marinette), brother Vern (Vivian) Swanson (Cadott), father in law Clyde Spanbauer and loved nephew and nieces along with other extended family including Linda's family, best friends Bill and Don and many other friends.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, mother in law Elaine Spanbauer and brother in law Dale Peterson Sr along with aunts and uncles and great nephew Chance.

His funeral will be at First United Methodist Church in Oshkosh on Wednesday July 13, (Linwood St.)Visitation is from 9:00 AM with service to follow at 11:30 AM. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Oshkosh.

In lieu of flowers a couple of memorials are being planned in his name.

Thank you to the staff at Eden Meadows, Bethel Home and Compassus Hospice for the excellent care you gave him while he tried to recover from the stroke. Your kindness and wonderful care will not be forgotten. Special thank you to Chaplain Cathie for the Healing Touches and to Connie for the nameste massages. You both brighten his week when you'd come. Thank you to all for kind words, prayers, cards and visits to him. It all meant so much.


Poklasny Funeral Home
870 W. South Park Avenue
Oshkosh WI 54902
(920) 235-1170