Lee Cecil Swanson

Leon "Lee" Swanson, 97, of Bemidji, MN, died September 2nd at the Bemidji Veterans Home.
Wake Services will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm with prayer and memory sharing at 7:00 on Monday, September 29th, at the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji. The Memorial Service will be at the Cease Family Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 30th, at 11:00 am with interment to follow at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Bemidji. Following the interment there will be a luncheon at the Bemidji Eagles Community Room.
Leon Cecil Swanson was born to Henry and Lottie Anderson Swanson on November 28, 1927, on a farm near Wesley, Iowa in Hancock County. Lee grew up on a farm along with his four older brothers. He attended country school and high school in Britt, Iowa, and was a member of and confirmed in the Evangelical Free Church of Wesley, Iowa.
Lee attended Iowa State College and Hamilton Business College, both in Mason City, Iowa.
In 1951 Lee was inducted into the army and was stationed in Germany. He was a radio operator relaying information or instructions to the heavy mortar crew. He earned numerous service honors and awards including the Occupation Medal and the Expert Infantry Badge (EIB). He discharged from the army with the rank of Private 1st Class.
Upon returning home from the army Lee worked briefly in advertising and public relations at the Standard Oil Division Office and in accounting at Mason City Brick and Tile, both in Mason City, Iowa.
During this time, he met his future wife, Mary Landsteiner. They were married at Holy Family Church in Mason City, Iowa. They had eight children, six daughters and two sons: Kathy (Scott Harri) Rezac, Karen (Alan) Merschman, Debra (Jerry) Hemstad, Doreen (Doug) Boettcher, David (Monica) Swanson, Lois (Don) Pearson, Dan (Helen) Swanson, and Lisa (Rich) Eggert. They have also been blessed with 23 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
Late in 1955 Lee began his lifetime career in the healthcare industry. He first worked at Fairmont, MN as controller and office manager of the Fairmont Hospital. In 1957 he moved to Minneapolis to work at the Swedish Hospital as office manager/controller. Then in 1959, after a move to Austin, MN, he worked as assistant administrator/controller at St. Olaf Hospital for 12 years.
In December of 1971, Lee moved his family to Bemidji, MN, to start his career as Administrator (CEO) of North Country Community Hospital. He was a man with a vision for the future of Bemidji's healthcare. During his time as Administrator, he was responsible for the purchase of the land for the new hospital and for the process of building the new hospital. Under his direction the hospital experienced much growth, not only including the construction of the new hospital, but also the conversion of the old hospital to Baker Park Congregate Housing, renovation of the North Country Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, completion of a major hospital expansion and remodeling project, and an addition of several new services and departments including: a Pastoral Care Department, Social Services Department, Public Relations and Marketing Department, Volunteer Services Department, Home Care, Hospice, Anesthesiology services, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Outpatient Surgery, and an Employee Wellness/Exercise Center. Lee also brought about the introduction of many new technologies to the hospital, including ultrasound, nuclear medicine, CT scan, a computerized data processing system and echocardiography.
Besides his work in healthcare, Lee was active in the Bemidji Lions Club, serving as President for a year. He was also involved in the beginning stages of Bemidji's United Way Organization and continued on the Board for a number of years. Lee served as a volunteer with the Bemidji Hospice organization for over 10 years, and he and his wife traveled to Florida after Hurricane Andrew to volunteer with the clean-up.
Lee found joy in travelling. He spearheaded many enjoyable camping trips with his family, and after retirement, he travelled with his wife around the United States and Europe.
Lee and Mary Swanson had great pride and were staunch supporters of their Bemidji community. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and his wife Mary. The family has requested that memorials be made to a local charity of choice.
Condolences may be left at ceasefuneralhome.com.