Final Salute

ST. PAUL – Ronald “Ron” E. Swanson, 77, of St. Paul, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, with his family by his side at Arbor Care Center in Fullerton, Nebraska.

Funeral Services will be held at 4:00 PM on Sunday, October 22, 2023, with visitation one hour prior to services at Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul. Interment will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul, Nebraska. Pastor Daniel Bear will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Ronald “Ron” was born on December 12, 1945, at the family home in northeast of Wolbach, Nebraska. He was the third son of Fred and Esther (Nielsen) Swanson. The family moved to Montrose and Flint, Michigan in 1949 where he attended school until 1958 when the family moved back to Wolbach. Ron graduated from Wolbach High School in 1964.

On July 4, 1966, he married Elaine Pedersen, the daughter of Melvin and Lila Pedersen in the Methodist Church in Wolbach. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1966 and was stationed in the Navy Seabee McB4 Unit in Port Hueneme, California. Ron spent two tours in Vietnam building bridges and campsites during his years in the Navy. He was honorably discharged in 1972.

After returning from California, Ron and Elaine made their home in St. Paul and the Gage Valley area. In 1975 they moved to Elaine’s parents’ homestead north of Cushing. While living there, they raised their four sons, Michael, Steven, Douglas, and Jason. They raised several kinds of livestock. Ron worked for St. Paul Tire Co. from 1975 until 1982. He was then a bus driver for the St. Paul’s Public Schools for 18 years and retired in 2001. In 1985 the family moved to St. Paul where he spent the rest of his life. Ron was a member of DAV and American Legion Post 119 of St. Paul.

Ron was an avid fisherman, loved to camp and travel. Many winters were spent in Texas. He was a collector of antiques and music, with music being the heart and soul of his life. He also loved to play cards, go gambling, and partake in his kid’s school activities, especially wrestling.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine of 57 years; sons and daughters-in-law, Mike (Rachel) Swanson of Melbourne, Florida, Steve (Pamela) Swanson of Aurora, Douglas (Julie) Swanson of St. Paul, and Jason (Jennifer) Swanson of Benton, Arkansas; 11 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; sister, Linda (Mel) Fuller; brother, Bill Swanson of St. Paul; sister-in-law, Leona Swanson of St. Paul; several nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Liz Pedersen of Gibbon; brother-in-law, Glenn (Patty) Pedersen of St. Paul; uncle, Paul Nielsen of Wolbach; and aunts, Sue Nielsen of Kearney, and Hazel Nielsen of St. Paul.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Kenneth and Harold; and infant sister, Lana; brothers-in-law, Lyle Rasmussen and Lloyd Pedersen; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.jacobsengreenway.com

Published by The Grand Island Independent on Oct. 17, 2023.