Everett Swanson
July 22, 1931 — January 8, 2009
Everett E. Swanson, 77, of Frankfort, KS died Thursday, January 08, 2009 at the Frankfort Community Care Home in Frankfort, KS.
Everett was born July 22, 1931 on the family farm near Frankfort, KS to Carl E. and Edith P. Martin Swanson. He graduated from Frankfort High School in 1949.
In 1954 he entered the Army and took his basic training at Ft. Bliss, Texas. He served in the infantry and spent a year and a half in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1956.
On July 15, 1972 Everett married Edith (Edie) Mae Armstrong at Salem Lutheran Church near Axtell, KS.
Everett worked for General Motors in Kansas City, KS and worked on the assembly line for 23 years before retiring in November 1987. He had previously worked for the Missouri and Union Pacific Railroads as a section hand and also worked for highway and bridge construction crews. Everett also farmed and raised livestock on the family farm near Frankfort periodically throughout his entire life. Everett very much enjoyed visiting and spending time with his family and friends. He loved music, playing the guitar and singing, and enjoyed a variety of other hobbies, including woodworking, fishing, and going to auctions.
He was a lifetime member of the Salem Lutheran Church having served on the church council, the Salem Lutheran Cemetery Board and held other various offices. He was a member of the Leo McMinimy American Legion Post 181, the VFW Post 1389, and the Masonic Lodge No. 67, A.F.&A.M., all of Frankfort. He was a member of the Blind Veterans Association. While working for General Motors he was a member of the United Auto Workers Union Local 31.
Everett was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister Eulalia McCallen.
He is survived by his wife Edie Swanson of their home, a daughter Lori and her husband John Haug, two sons, Troy Swanson, and Justin and his wife Crystal Swanson, three step grandsons, Michael, Cordell and Austin Coon, all of Frankfort; and a sister Anna I. Hershey of Republic MO.
Funeral services will be Monday January 12, 2009 at 10:00 am at the Salem Lutheran Church southwest of Axtell, with the Reverend Charlene Barnes officiating. Shirley Polson will play the organ and soloist will be Iris Turnbull. Hymns will be "Amazing Grace" "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Because He Lives". Casket bearers will be Wendell Vandorn, Duane Polson, Benny Ekstrum, David Winquist, Steve Argo and Larry Swanson. Honorary casket bearers will be George Olson, Ewald Lofdahl, Gale Vandorn, Don McLaughlin, Bernie Vandorn and Ron Heckerson. Burial will be in the Salem Lutheran Cemetery with full military honors by the Leo McMinimy American Legion Post #181 of Frankfort. He will lie in state at the Landreth-Popkess Funeral Home in Axtell all day Sunday January 11. There will be a family visitation Sunday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Memorials are being left to the Everett E. Swanson Memorial Fund, and will be designated at a later date. Memorials may be sent in care of the Landreth-Popkess Funeral Home, Axtell, KS.