Gary Swanson

Gary Stuart Swanson was born on December 24, 1937, in Olmsted County to Stanley K. and Violet (Jackson) Swanson, Gary died peacefully at Cottagewood on June 12th, 2024, at the age of 86.

Gary graduated from Wanamingo High School in 1956. On October 24th, 1959, he married Sylvia D. Froyum. He and Sylvia lived most of their lives in and around Rochester MN. In 1966 he received a diploma in Industrial Management from Lincoln Institute. He worked for IBM and retired after 34 years of service. During his time at IBM he had opportunities to live and work in Italy, Brazil and Atlanta GA.

Gary enjoyed golf, snowmobiling, traveling around the country in their motorhome and time spent with family. You would often find Gary cheering on his grandchildren at their many events. Gary loved golf, especially when he played with friends, his wife, his sons, and his grandchildren. Gary enjoyed snowmobiling with family. Winter vacations were spent at his sister and brother-in-law’s cabin in Northern Wisconsin - snowmobiling, playing cards and sharing many laughs with family. After retirement, Gary and Sylvia bought a motorhome spending many winters in the southern United States traveling and sightseeing.

He is survived by his wife Sylvia; two sons, Thomas P. (Susan) Swanson of Lake Elmo, MN, and John E. (Andrea) Swanson of Rochester MN; a sister Suzanne K (Charles) Lunde of Little Canada, MN; sister-in-law Jacqueline Swanson of Pine City, MN; 4 grandchildren, Sarah M. (Cole) Rantasha of Champlin, MN, Matthew J. (Kaylee) Swanson of Salem, OR, Aaron R. (Anna) Swanson of Doral, FL and Katelyn E. Swanson of Minneapolis, MN; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Stanley K. Swanson and his mother Violet C. Swanson; and his brother S. Kraig Swanson. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial gifts to support Alzheimer’s disease. Suggestions include the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) or Mayo Clinic’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research fund (Mayo Clinic).

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Mahn Family Funeral Home-Rochester Chapel. Online condolences are welcome and may be shared at mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.