James O. Swenson
October 08, 1933 - November 28, 2021
Obituary
MADISON - James Oscar “Jim” Swenson, age 88, of Madison, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. He was born on Oct. 8, 1933, in Barneveld, Wis., the son of Theodore and Ida (Olson) Swenson.
Jim graduated from Arena High School with the class of 1951. Following graduation, he proudly served in the U.S. Air Force. James was united in marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Alice Jane Donahue, in 1957. Together, they shared the perfect love story and their love for each other was unending. They raised five children while traveling to six different Air Force Bases. Their daughter, Pam, was born in Turkey while they were stationed in Athens, Greece.
Jim made the U.S. Air Force his career and was taught to be a Meteorologist. In 1973, he retired from the Air Force and began using his knowledge in weather to create a new career. In 1974, he began working for the National Weather Service, a job he loved until his retirement in 1990. Jim was a hard worker and continued to stay busy by working various jobs until 2015.
Jim had a wonderful sense of humor and was an amazing joke and storyteller. It made his day when he was able to put a big smile on a person’s face and to hear their laughter. He enjoyed playing cards, cribbage, euchre and pinochle. He loved meeting new people and spending time with his family. His family was his greatest pride and joy.
Jim is survived by four sons, Theodore F. (Jean Ann) Swenson, James M. (Rhonda) Swenson, William J. (Maureen) Swenson and Eric (Traci) Swenson; daughter, Pam (Matt) Morgan; 21 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Sally Iverson; sister-in-law, Vonnie Swenson; special nephew, Jack (Maria) Leary; and special niece, Kathy (Mike) Ross.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Alice Jane; three sisters, Helen (Burdette) Knight, Irene Crary and Ann (Harold) Iverson; four brothers, Bud (Marion) Swenson, John (Rosie) Swenson, Dick (Loraine) Swenson and Tom Swenson; brother-in-law, Charlie Iverson; and granddaughter, Kathryn "Katie" Swenson.
A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON CAMACHO MOUNT HOREB FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 500 N. Eighth St., Mount Horeb, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, and also from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth St.
(608) 437-5077