Russell "Russ" Swenson

1934 - 2025

Kasota, MN - Russell "Russ" Swenson, 90, Kasota, MN died on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Benedictine Living Community, St. Peter, MN.

Memorial Service will be at 11 a.m., on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at First Lutheran Church, 1114 Traverse Rd, St. Peter MN 56082, with visitation one hour prior at the church as well. Livestream of the service will be available at www.saintpeterfuneralhome.com.

Born on October 30, 1934, at Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis, MN to Erich Swenson and Mildred (Gulin) Swenson. He attended White Bear High School, graduated in 1953; and learned his craft at the Westlawn School of Small Boat and Yacht Design. During high school he joined United States Naval Reserves and served for eight years.

Russ married Beverly Patraw on November 5, 1955, and together they had four children, Cynthia Burkel, Sandra Drenttel, Linda Johnson, and Michael Swenson.

Russ retired from Alumacraft Boat Company, St. Peter, MN in 1999. He was Vice President, Manufacturing and Engineering and worked from 1953 to 1999 (46 years). Russ joined his father, Erich Swenson at Alumacraft Boat Company to follow in his dad's footsteps. Erich was Alumacraft's first design engineer. The handiwork of this father-son engineering team has been part of every boat Alumacraft has built. Russ helped design Alumacraft's first runabout in 1954 called the Merry M. He was also instrumental in designing the first fiberglass line of boats in the late 1950's.

He was an avid fisherman, golfer, and hunter but his love was the water and boating (on an Alumacraft boat, of course).

Russ is survived by his wife of 69 years, Beverly; daughters, Cynthia (Steven) Burkel, Sandra (Edward) Drenttel and Linda Johnson; son, Michael (Kristin) Swenson; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, and sister, Marcia (Jim) Wurst.

Russ was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Bruce and Eugene.

Memorials preferred to donor's choice in memory of Russell Swenson.