Paul Andrew Swanson

Paul Andrew Swanson was born February 28, 1939, to Francis and Thelma Swanson in Sioux City, Iowa. He had two younger sisters, Mary Ann and Jane.

He attended church with his family and at the age of 10 was particularly impressed with the gospel message he heard while at the Lake Koronis Bible Camp in Minnesota. The following year, when a missionary to France confronted him after a church service about his soul, God used Isaiah 53:5 to open his eyes to the gospel: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.” So, at the age of 11, Paul trusted Jesus as His personal Lord and Savior.

He attended Central High School, graduating in 1957. Upon graduation, Paul joined the US Navy where he served for 20+ years, mostly in the reserves, retiring as an E-7 chief petty officer.

He married Susan McKenney in 1961. They had four children: Jim, Terry, Cathy, and Brian.

They lived on a farm owned by his father in James, Iowa (just a couple miles north of Sioux City). He worked at Concrete Pipe on the west side of Sioux City. Then later he spent 20 years at Iowa Public Service (now known as MidAmerican Energy).

Paul loved participating in various tractor pulls in Hinton, Westfield, and the River Cade in Sioux City. And he loved to water ski. The Sioux City Journal ran an article entitled, “Paul Swanson Rides One Ski to Omaha” in the summer of 1969. When he was 30 years old, “he used just that one ski all the way from [Sioux City] to Omaha, a distance of 117 miles on the Missouri River.”

He and the family moved to Sgt Bluff in 1971 and then back out to an acreage in 1976.

After he and Sue divorced, he later married Rita Plowman on August 16, 1986.

Together he and Rita traveled the US and abroad; much of it on a motorcycle. They cycled to Colorado (Pikes Peak), Canada, the West Coast, and even out to New York City to see family.

Paul enjoyed collecting things: like old tractors, coins, rocks, and World War 2 memorabilia. Fishing also became a thrill to Paul as he got older. He loved catching and eating walleye pike!

He suffered a stroke while shoveling snow at the age of 52.

He had a habit of telling others about His Lord and inviting them to come to Christ for themselves.

Physically, Paul suffered one set back after another after breaking his hip on September 9 of this year.

On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, Paul entered the presence of his Lord Jesus Christ. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside Chapel (1801 Morningside Ave) with a Visitation taking place one hour prior. Pastor Dr. Lloyd Grant will be officiating. His final resting place will be Memorial Park Cemetery.

Paul is survived by his former wife Susan, their children, Jim (Colleen) Swanson of Queens, NY, Terry (Vicki) Swanson of Deltona, FL, Cathy (Mark) Donnell of McGregor, TX, Brian (Tina) Swanson of Smithville, MO; twelve grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Rita, her children, Mark (Deb) Plowman of Blair, NE, Lori (Pete) Hernandez of Denver, CO, Tim Plowman of Woodbine, IA, Jody (Rachel) Plowman of Treynor, IA; eleven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren; twelve grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren; twelve grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his infant son Bobby, his sister Jane, and Rita’s son David Plowman.

In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations could be made to the St. Croix Hospice in Sioux City.