Jack Lee “SWEDE” Swanson, 86, passed away Saturday, March 18, 2023 at the Davis Hospice Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Jack was born at the family home on June 21, 1936 in rural Box Butte County to Loran and Elizabeth “Beth” (Moore) Swanson. Jack lived all of his 86 years in the surrounding Hemingford area. He attended elementary school at a country school not far from his home and graduated with honors from Hemingford High School in 1954. He then served his country by joining the United States Navy and worked as an Engineer on the USS Quapaw from 1955-1957.
Jack married Patsy L. Fisher on March 12, 1960. Jack and Patsy celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary barely a week prior to his passing. To this union came 3 children… Jeffrey Scott, Jac-Lynn Kae and Jason Peter Lee. Jack worked as a farmer most all of his life. He truly enjoyed planting, watering and watching all that he planted grow. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and honored fellow veterans by participating with the Hemingford Post 9 Honors Team. He was also a patriotic supporter of the Panhandle Chapter 43 American Legion Riders.
Jack and Patsy have been blessed with 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren who have provided them with much joy. Truly the apples of his eye, grandchildren are Sawyer Jack Orr (Haley), Elizabeth Sha-Nae Orr (Cory Huston), Vance William Orr, Hanna Nichelle Swanson, Conner Lee Swanson, Ford Asher Swanson, Russell Walker Swanson (Tia Skavlem) and Tanner Lee Swanson. Great grandchildren are Merritt Jack and Wacey Jay Orr, Brooklyn and Makayla Thieschafer and Jaxson and Braxton Skavlem-Swanson. Jack also enjoyed his many nieces and nephews and their families. You could almost set your watch to his ritual of daily shopping at Raben’s Market and the Valor Hardware store. The socializing and friendships shared amongst the Hemingford community brought him a great deal of joy.
He was a proud father and grandfather; always very interested and happy to be involved with his families’ activities. His playful nature and sense of humor will be in our memories always. His love of sauerkraut, smoked oysters and sardines will live on through us as well!
He enjoyed the simplest of things in life. His hobbies included woodworking, gardening, hunting, fishing and making his “much appreciated” homemade jerky. When summer arrived, family and friends knew Jack could often be found sitting outside in his gardening chair. It was there that he enjoyed a nice cold beer while watering his garden and observing the weather and wildlife around him.
Jack is survived by his wife Patsy of Cheyenne, Wyoming, daughter Jac-Lynn and special friend Wade Tveter of Cheyenne, Wyoming and son Jason of Hemingford, NE. He was preceded in death by his son Jeffrey Scott Swanson, his parents Loran & Beth Swanson, his parent-in-laws Garland and Edna Fisher, brother Dallas Swanson, and sister and brother-in-law Beverly and Harold Delsing.
Graveside services with military honors will be held at the Hemingford Cemetery in the upcoming summer. Postponing will allow grandson, Sergeant Conner Lee Swanson, 1st Battalion 7th Marines, to be able to attend while on his leave. The specific date and time will be announced when that information has been made available. Memorials may be given in Jack’s name to the Panhandle Chapter 43 American Legion Riders, c/o Jeff Schumacher, 7262 Jefferson Road, Hemingford, NE 69348 or to the donor’s choice. Cards may be sent to the Swanson family c/o Jac-Lynn Swanson, 3727 McComb Ave., Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001.