Vernon D. Swanson

Vernon Dwight Swanson, 82, of Hager City, died Tuesday, June 6, 2006, at the Fairview Seminary Home in Red Wing. He was born June 7, 1923 in Braham, Minnesota to Dwight and Lillian (Anderson) Swanson. When he was six months old, his family moved to Bay City, where he attended country schools and graduated from Red Wing Central High School in 1940. He then attended the University of Minnesota, where he studied Agricultural Engineering. On October 21, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served during WWII. When he was honorably discharged on January 15, 1946, he came back to farm on his family?s farm. On December 4, 1951, he married Velma Kassera in Plum City. He continued to farm even until his recent declining health. He also owned and operated Deepland Supply for many years. They wintered in Winter Haven, Florida where he served on the Condo Association. He was a member of St. Paul?s Lutheran Church, where he was a part of the Riser?s; a life member of the Harding-Hall-Darington American Legion Post # 357 in Bay City; Farm Bureau; Ellsworth Creamery Board; Board for DHIA; Masons Lodge #8 of Red Wing; Zuhrah Shriners; and the Lodge Council Chapter Consistory. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, dancing and playing cards. He is survived by his wife, Velma of Hager City; four children, Vickie (Joe) Grant of Woodville, Wisc., Kay (Tony) Stavros of Winter Haven, Florida, Larry (Kathy) Swanson of Bay City and Alan (Kay) Swanson of Palmer, Iowa; 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Susan Swanson and one grandson, Nickolos Stavros. Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 10, at St. Paul?s Lutheran Church with Reverend Eugene Hasselquist officiating. Burial will be at Trenton Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, June 9, with an 8 p.m. Masonic Service at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and for one hour prior to the service at the church.