Eldred Mansford Swingen
October 06, 1917 - November 13, 2012
Obituary
MAPLE BLUFF-Eldred Mansford Swingen, age 95, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012, at Agrace HospiceCare surrounded by his family. He was born on June 6, 1917, in Cooperstown, N.D., the only child of Henry H. and Anna Beata (Stai) Swingen. He was raised in Village of Hannaford, North Dakota and attended public schools. Eldred graduated from University of North Dakota in 1939, with a B.S. in Commerce. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Phi Eta Sigma, Beta Sigma Phi, Blue Key, and Delta Sigma Pi. Eldred attended Harvard Law School, was a member of the Hugo Black Law Club, and was drafted to the U.S. Army before Pearl Harbor. He was commissioned at the Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and assigned to the 905th Field Artillery Battalion, 80th Infantry Division, serving as S-2 Captain. Eldred was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and 4 battle stars. After service in World War II, he graduated with an LLB from University of Wisconsin Law School in September 1946. In the same month, he was married to his patient sweetheart, Virginia Eighmy Smith at Bethel Lutheran Church. Together, they raised a daughter, Regina Anne. His first employment was as district claim agent for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway with offices in Chicago, Mankato, Omaha, and Madison. He was a founder and sole survivor of the firm of Swingen, Stern, and Lenahan with offices in Madison and Oshkosh. Eldred was a partner of the firm of Johnson, Swingen, and Atterbury. He retired from law practice on Dec. 31, 2009, as a sole practitioner. Eldred was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Maple Bluff Country Club, the Madison Club, Ygdrasil Literary Club, and Torske Klubben of Madison. His passions included family, model trains, golfing and world travels. Eldred was also an avid Packers fan. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Swingen; and daughter, Regina Anne Swingen Lee of Cookeville, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law, Mrs. Karl W. Smith; and brother-in-law, Robert Smith. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, with the Rev. Curt Everson presiding. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery with military rites being conducted. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church Media Ministry or Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church Media Ministry or Agrace HospiceCare.
Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012.
Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, with the Rev. Curt Everson presiding.
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Memories
MH
Mark Hennick
Other •
Sove i fred, min venn.
JT
Jill Tecalero
Other •
Eldred was a joy to take care of and help with daily chores. I enjoyed the time I knew him even though it was short. He always had nice things to say and very respectful. I felt bad for him with the aches and pains he dealt with towards the end. He was a wise man and I enjoyed hearing about his law practice, his need to check his stocks and the marital advice he offered. He always talked about the loves of his life - his wife and adopted daughter that he loved as his own. I loved to see the support of family with the numerous visits and know that Eldred was thankful for them. With Sympathy, Jill Tecalero
TQ
Teresa Queener
Other •
Regina,
Just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you and your Mom during this sad time. I'll be keeping you all in my prayers.
Teresa
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Charles Stern
Other •
First a little background. My father was W J Stern.
When a was a young lad I would often go with my father and Eldred on out of town trips. Listening to his stories of life in the army, especially when he was in Germany became a highlight of those trips.
I also remember one trip to Chicago, some dull meeting for the ols guys no doubt, but an adventure for me. After their meeting we joined up again and went to dinner at the Red Star Inn. An old style German resturant. I still remember the waiters, food and Eldred's exciting stories that night. Not very many adults thought it worth their while to talk to a young kid.
I remember him as a true gentleman.