Lyle Swedberg

Lyle Theodore Swedberg, 88, died Sunday, September 29, 2013 at his residence at Windmill Ponds in Alexandria. Lyle was born on June 26, 1925, in Fergus Falls, MN, to Theodore and Ruth (Hoff) Swedberg. He grew up on a farm in Tordenskjold Township near Battle Lake. In October of 1943 at age 18 Lyle enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Hawaii, Canton Island and Japan before his honorable discharge in February, 1946. Prior to Lyle?s discharge, he prayed for God?s leading in finding a godly wife upon his return to the U.S. Soon after a picture of Lorraine Askerooth came to mind. They had never met, but Lyle had seen her in church in Battle Lake several times. Their first date was in August of 1946, and they married on June 5, 1948, at Lorraine?s parents? home in rural Battle Lake. Lyle and Lorraine celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year. In 1948, Lyle attended airline school in Kansas City, MO, followed by employment at Challenger Airlines in Cheyenne, WY, and Western Airlines in South Dakota and Minneapolis. In 1962 Lyle trained to be an air traffic control specialist and was assigned to the Pierre, SD, airport. After two years he transferred to Alexandria where he worked for 21 years until retiring in 1985. Lyle was an active member at First Baptist Church in Alexandria for many years and also a member of Gideons International. Lyle?s priorities were God, family and friends. He loved to laugh, sing, play games with his family, play golf and visit with family and friends. He was a lifelong learner and stayed current on world events. Lyle could fix anything and tackled many handyman projects. He raised strawberries, corn and pumpkins to sell for several years. Lyle is survived by his wife, Lorraine; children, Joyce (John) Cordes of Henning, Janet (Doug) Lundstrom of Owatonna, Judy (Rod) Skramstad of Alexandria, Jim (Diana) Swedberg of Alexandria, Jon (Karen) Swedberg of Marina, CA, Jerry (Lynette) Swedberg of Alexandria; 20 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; sister, Lucille Larson of Battle Lake; sister-in-law, Eunice Swedberg of Battle Lake; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, JoAnne Lucille; his parents; brother, Robert Swedberg; and brothers-in-law, Roy Mekalson and Art Larson. Visitation is at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria on Saturday, October 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. A sharing time begins at 12:00 noon, and burial follows at Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria. A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, October 6, at 3:00 p.m. at the Alexandria Covenant Church with Pastor John LeVahn officiating. Memorials are preferred to Gideons International. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.