Charles Gust Swanson

The funeral service for Charles Swanson, 88, of Balaton, MN, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at the Balaton United Methodist Church in Balaton. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Life Remembrance Center – Horvath Funeral Service in Balaton and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment with military honors will follow the service at Lakeside Cemetery in Balaton. Charles Gust Swanson was born on April 27, 1930, to Swan and Iola (Ramsey) Swanson in Custer Township in Lyon County. He started school in Garvin, then moved to District 52 Country School. The family moved to Tracy, then back to Balaton. In the fall of his freshman year, Charles went to work for the Gambles Store. In 1948, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at Lockland Air Force Base in Texas and attended Armament School in Denver. During the Korean War, he was stationed in Okinawa for 21 months. After returning to the States, he was stationed in Omaha, NE, and received an honorable discharge in 1952. On July 3, 1953, Charles married Stella Bonnstetter. They made their home in Marshall where Charles was employed at the Chevrolet Garage until 1959 when they moved to Balaton. He worked with his brothers Elmer and Enoch at Swanson’s Garage until they closed in 1979. Charles then went to work for Don Ahlschlager insulating homes part time. In his spare time, he built wishing wells, windmills and flower pot holders. Charles died on Saturday, July 14, 2018, surrounded by family at the Colonial Manor of Balaton. He is survived by his wife, Stella, of 65 years, sons Charles (and Teresa), David (and Kim), Mike (and Lois), Brian (and Annette), grandson Charles (and Nikki), great-grandchildren Marrisa, Amaya and Zach Swanson, granddaughter Jamine (and Kellen Henn), great-grandchildren Eli and Leo, grandson John (and Amy) Bruns, great-grandchild Whitney Bruns, granddaughter Jill Bruns, grandson Josh Bruns (and Jess Walters) and great-granddaughter Jocelyn Walters. He was preceded in death by his son Roger and grandson Brandon, parents, brothers Victor, Elmer, Enoch and Swan and sisters Mabel and Zelma.