Keith Swalheim
August 24, 1941 - May 08, 2017
Obituary
Swalheim, Keith Harold
STOUGHTON/COTTAGE GROVE/SUN CITY WEST, ARIZ. - Keith H. Swalheim, age 75, passed into eternal life on Monday, May 8, 2017, with his family by his side after an 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on Aug. 24, 1941, in Madison, the son of Harold and Mildred (Johnson) Swalheim. Keith graduated from Stoughton High School in 1960 and enlisted in the 32nd Division of the U.S. Army during the Berlin Crisis. He then followed his traveling passion and began his career as a truck driver, working first for Severson Transport, followed by 25 years with Graber Industries and later with Hull Transport. After retiring from truck driving, Keith worked for Houston Excavating and Iverson Construction during the summer months, spending his winters in the sunshine of Arizona. He was a craftsman at heart and restored four vintage airplanes, several that went on to win awards at the EAA convention in Oshkosh. Keith's 1934 Stinson SR5 now resides in the AeroMexico Museum in Mexico City. He was a founding member of the Bucks Only Hunting Club. Over the course of his travels and through his hobbies, Keith shared friendships with many. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be missed by all. Keith is survived by his wife, Cosette (Rodefeld) Swalheim; daughters, Jodi (Bob) Coon and Sara Swalheim; grandsons, AJ (Tessa) Coon and Brad (fiance Chelsea Haffele) Coon; great-grandchildren, Raelyn, Logyn, Madisyn and Noah Coon; brother, Richard (Lenore); step-son, Nels (Sarah) Rodefeld; the mother of his daughters, Marian (Dale) Holzhuter; and a niece and several nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and grandparents, Peder and Lena Swalheim and Herman and Charlotte Johnson. A Memorial Service will be held at GUNDERSON STOUGHTON FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 1358 Highway 51 North at Jackson St., Stoughton, at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, May 27, 2017. Lunch will follow the service at BBG's Lower Level, 800 Nygaard St., Stoughton. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 26, 2017, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Veterans Memorial Park—Stoughton, or Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church (Gifts of Hope)—Surprise, Ariz. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Stoughton
Funeral & Cremation Care
1358 Highway 51 North at Jackson St.
(608) 873-4590
Events
Visitation
Fri May 26, 2017 @ 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Stoughton • 1358 Hwy 51, P.O. Box 96, Stoughton, WI 53589
Visitation
Sat May 27, 2017 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Stoughton • 1358 Hwy 51, P.O. Box 96, Stoughton, WI 53589
Service
Sat May 27, 2017 @ 11:00 AM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Stoughton • 1358 Hwy 51, P.O. Box 96, Stoughton, WI 53589
Photos
Memories
RM
Ron & Corrinne Maki
Other •
As a co-worker and trucker, we have many fond memories of Keith. Surely he will find peaceful sunny highways in heaven. May we meet again there someday. Keep on trucking Keith !
Your trucking buddy, Ron
JR
Jeanne Reed
Other •
We were friends in High School and I even got to drive your '57 Chevy...well, sort of! When we would come upon a hill in Madison, I worked the gas and Marian worked the clutch because she couldn't manage both😜 It worked!! Whoever thought we would become even better friends later in
life through Aviation! Pete and I looked forward to coming back to Stoughton just so we could go to Amundsen's Garage!! You were a master craftsman and the Stinson was proof! What an accomplishment. Blue skies and tailwinds Keith. See you later!
EJ
Eugene "Eng" Johnson
Other •
We were high school friends and I remember Keith as a winning half-mile runner even though he was a relatively short kid. He always had a kick at the end. Sorry to see he's gone so young, but I'm happy to learn of his airplane restoration projects.
CC
Charles Culb
Other •
I worked with Keith at Graber Industries as a fellow trucker and had always thought he was a special spirited man. He loved his planes of that you can be certain!! Love and prayers to you and your family, Keith. You will be missed by many of us. Charlie Culb, Janesville, WI
DF
Daryl Furseth
Other •
Sorry for your loss. I worked with Keith at Iverson and Huston. He was a great guy, full of energy. He will be missed
H
HarryBallance
Other •
I knew Keith through the Vintage airplane community. We were both restoring Stinson Reliants. He was a great resource as well as being just a great guy with whom to hang around. I will miss him, as I know you all will too. Harry Ballance