James Arthur Swanberg

1930 - 2025

The funeral service for James Arthur Swanberg, 95, Valley City, ND, will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 28 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Valley City. Burial will be in Stone Lutheran Cemetery, Mandan, North Dakota. He died Thursday, August 21, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family.
James Arthur "Art" Swanberg was born on August 3, 1930, to Fritz and Jennie (Unger) Swanberg in Mandan, North Dakota. He was raised on a farm south of Mandan. After high school, he worked on the family farm with his father, as his two brothers were serving in the military. During this time, he met Jean Toepke, and they were married in 1955.
 
They continued to live on the farm until 1956 when Art began working in construction. He lived and worked in the Mandan area until 1971. In 1971 he began working for Scherr Construction in Valley City. In 1972, he moved his family to Valley City. He continued in construction until 1989, when he began working for his sons. He had each of his grandsons working with him on the job at one time or another, which he was very proud of. Art retired from construction in 2002 at the age of 72.
 
After retirement, he enjoyed gardening, fishing, and spending time with his friends. Art had a special way with children and loved them, especially his grandkids and great-granddaughters, whom he was known to spoil just a little.
 
Art is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jean; two sons, Mark (Toni) and Kent (Brenda); and one daughter, Colleen Jones. He is also survived by one granddaughter, Samantha, and five grandsons: John Paul, Eric, Jacob, Beau, and Jared. Additionally, he is survived by two great-granddaughters, Emmalee and Katelyn.
 
He was preceded in death by his infant son, Terry, his parents, two brothers, and one sister.

Memorials will be dedicated to the Stone Lutheran Cemetery Fund.  

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City. An online guestbook is available at www.olivernathanchapel.com.