Harry Swanson

Harry A Swanson, age 70, of Litchfield, died on Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at the Hutchinson Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 2, 2009, at the First Lutheran Church in Litchfield with Pastors David Sorensen and Christa Forsythe officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Sunday, November 1, 2009 at the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Lake Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield. Harry Allen Swanson, the son of Axel and Anna (Holden) Swanson, was born on March 9, 1939 in Ellsworth Township. He grew up in Ellsworth Township and attended grade school at the Greenleaf school, graduating from Litchfield High School. He continued his education at Brown Institute and then after working for the railroad in Chicago for a few years he attended Bemidji State University. Harry moved to St. Paul and worked for 3M. On December 29, 1973, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Frank in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. In the mid seventies they moved to Harry’s family’s home farm in Ellsworth Township. Soon after the move he began working for First District. Harry also farmed and enjoyed raising beef cattle. Harry had many physical battles throughout is life. He was severely burned as a child and due to knee problems had to retire from First District in 1995. However, he was able to continue farming and raising cattle until just a few years ago. Harry was a member of the Minnesota Farmers’ Union and was active in the DFL. You could always count on conversation with either farming or politics being discussed by Harry. Harry was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Litchfield and supported MST especially when his daughter Kristi was a part of the group. He enjoyed being involved with her activities and also watching the Litchfield Basketball teams. Harry loved animals; not only his cattle but he also made sure the deer in the area were well fed. Harry is survived by his wife, Marilyn of Litchfield, daughter Kristi Swanson of Hopkins; brother, Marvin (and Paulette) Swanson of Stillwater; sister, Mary (and Kevin) Wentworth of Red Wing, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Peter.