Robert Swanson

Robert Glenn Swanson was born on March 30, 1932, in Washington D.C. to Elmer and Ida (Peterson) Swanson.  His father was a police officer in Washington D.C. and died in the line of duty when Robert was 3 months old.  Ida and the family moved back home in Nelson, MN where Robert grew up between Nelson and Alexandria.  Robert enlisted in the Army in 1951 until 1954 and served during the Korean War.

Robert was united in marriage to Marion Larson in September of 1954, and they were blessed with two daughters, Vicki and Laurie.  Family made their home in Alexandria, where Robert became a police officer and worked with the Alexandria Police Department.  Robert worked 2 years as the Police Chief in Parkers Prairie.  Robert retired from the police department in 1973. After retirement, Robert drove truck and school bus which he really loved.  On February 18, 1978, Robert married Marilyn Kern at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Robert built a log cabin by Lake Mary in 1987 where the couple lived.  In early 2000, the couple moved to Wadena where Marilyn was from.

Robert enjoyed woodworking, building the log cabin, landscaping, flower gardening and fishing.

Robert died on Friday, October 13, 2017, at Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena at the age of 85.  He is survived by his wife, Marilyn of Wadena; daughters, Vicki (Joe) Schnitzler of Danvers and Laurie Morris of Madison, VA; grandchildren, Sara (Mike) McGee, Katie Schnitzler, Chap (Brandie) Morris and Amy (Mark) Arrington; great-grandchildren, John and Taylor McGee, Jordyn and Cole Bachman, and Pace and Tavner Arrington, and Will, Laureli and Quinn Morris; sister, DiAnn (Allen) Bakke; and many nieces and nephews.  Robert is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Ida; brother, Eugene Swanson; sisters, Delores Johnson, Phyllis Jensen, and Judy Wilken.

A memorial service will be held 3:00 PM on Friday, October 20, 2017 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Military Honors will be provided by the Alexandria American Legion Post 87, VFW Post 936, VVA Rifle Squad Chapter 235, and the Minnesota National Honor Guard.  Inurnment will be in Fahlun Lutheran Cemetery in Nelson.