Rev. H.R. Erwin Swanson
October 21, 1923 - December 01, 2012
Obituary
MADISON/BETTENDORF, IOWA/DES MOINES, IOWA/BURLINGTON, IA-The Rev. H.R. Erwin Swanson, age 89, died Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at home surrounded by family. He was born on Oct. 21, 1923, in Chicago, Ill., the son of Erick and Anna (Carlsson) Swanson and was raised along with younger brother George H.K. Swanson in the Swedish Lutheran Home for Children in Joliet, Ill. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and Korea. Erwin attended Augustana College and Seminary in Rock Island, Ill. and was ordained into the Augustana Synod of the Lutheran Church on June 19, 1955. He married Karin Edith Bengston on June 17, 1956. He served Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rice Lake, WI, Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines, Iowa, and St. James Lutheran Church in Bettendorf, Iowa. Erwin also served with the Luther Manor and Salvation Army Boards of Directors and as a Bettendorf police chaplain. He volunteered as a Challenger Little League Coach, in the Bettendorf Rotary Club, and with the United Way. Erwin supported Lutheran Social Services and was a member of the Augustana Heritage Association. He and Karin were blessed with four children, Karla, Sonya, Erick, and John. Erwin is survived by his wife, Karin; children, Karla Swanson of Des Moines, Iowa, Sonya (Rev. Ted) Lindquist of Fitchburg, WI; Rev. Erick (Kristi) Swanson of Maquoketa, IA, and Rev. John (Beth) Swanson of Madison, WI; grandchildren, Anna and Carl Lindquist, Nathan Swanson, Zachary (Brittney) Swanson, Drake Swanson, and Lydia and Caleb Swanson; great grandson, Zaiden Swanson; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, George; and sister-in-law, Mitzi Swanson. Funeral services will be held at ST. JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1705 Oak St., Bettendorf, Iowa, on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 11 am with a time of fellowship and food to immediately follow. Visitation will be at the church from 10 am until the time of service on Thursday. Memorials may be made to ELCA World Hunger Appeal, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, Ill., 60694-1764.
Memorials may be made to ELCA World Hunger Appeal, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, Ill., 60694-1764.
Visitation will be at the church from 10 am until the time of service on Thursday.
Funeral services will be held at ST. JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1705 Oak St., Bettendorf, Iowa, on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 11 am with a time of fellowship and food to immediately follow
Events
There are no events for H.R. yet.
Photos
No photos of H.R. have been shared yet.
Memories
RH
Rev. George Hanusa
Other •
Karin and family,
My deepest sympathy to you at Erwin's death. I enjoyed my associations with him when I was with Lutheran Social Service of Iowa and in the old ALC Iowa District office. He always was insightful and caring.
(I have noted that John is on the pastoral staff at Bethl in Madison. My bother Glen is a member there.)
May God surround you with abiding love and care, in Jesus Christ, the Risen One.
Rev. George Hanusa
S
Steve
Other •
Karin, John, Eric, Sonya & Carla:
Our deepest sympathy for your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We will always consider it an honor to be married by Rev. Irwin Swanson on June 17, 1989 at the Chuch of the Land (Living History Farms,Iowa).
Peace Be With You,
Steve & Patty Bachellor (Allen, TX)
"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." ~ Isaiah 40:31
BB
Bob Barks
Other •
To the Family of Pastor Swanson,
It is with sorrow that I send condolences on the death of Pastor Swanson.
I remember him very well especially his smile and the fishing trip to Canada with
other men from Grace Lutheran Church.
Please know that his family is remembered in my prayers. May the Peace of the Lord
be with you all.
Love, Bob Barks
LM
Lynda & Duane Miller
Other •
To the family of Erwin,
We were sad to see that Erwin had passed away. I was involved with his wife Karin for many years with our Women of the ELCA Cluster 6 of Southeast Iowa. I always enjoyed visiting wiht both Karin and Erwin while they lived in Bettendorf.
Erwin will be missed but will always be in the hearst of his family.
Our sympathy goes out to his family,
Lynda and Duane Miller