Elmer Glenn Swanson

Elmer G. Swanson age 90 of Balaton, MN died at his home on Saturday, January 5, 2013. Services will be 11:00 AM Thursday, January 10, 2013 at the Balaton Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 PM Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Balaton, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM and continuing one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday morning. Interment will be in the Lakeside Cemetery with a luncheon served in the Balaton Community Center immediately following the burial. The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton is handling the arrangements. Elmer Glenn Swanson was born June 19, 1922 to Swan and Iola (Ramsey) Swanson in Garvin, MN, Lyon County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith in Avoca, MN and attended country school in the Garvin and Avoca areas and high school in Slayton. As a young man he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps prior to his entrance into the military. Elmer was drafted into the U.S. Army on October 12, 1944 and served in the 63rd Infantry Battalion. He was overseas in the Pacific Theatre when he was wounded in the line of duty near Luzon, Philippines and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart medals. He was honorably discharged on August 31, 1946 and returned to the southern Minnesota area. On May 29, 1951 Elmer married Phyllis Nott in Maryville, MO and they made their home in Avoca for a short time before moving to Balaton, MN, where they remained the rest of his life. Elmer was a third generation blacksmith, a welder and a mechanic. He and his brothers owned and operated Swanson’s Garage for many years in Balaton. He also worked for McLaughlin and Schultz of Marshall, MN for sixteen years. Elmer, an active member of the Balaton United Methodist Church, served on the Board of Trustees and on the Decision Hills Camp board. For many years he was a proud Boy Scout Leader for Troop 471, which is also where he earned the nickname, “Fudd”. He was a member of the Balaton American Legion Post 237 and in 2007 was recognized as a 50 year member. Elmer will be remembered for his willingness to help anyone and everyone he met. Elmer’s hobbies included metalworking, fishing, dancing (Polka), card playing and spending time with his family and friends. On Saturday, January 5, 2013, Elmer died at his home, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 90 from complications related to dementia. Elmer is survived by his wife, Phyllis of Balaton, MN; four sons, Daniel (Carol) of Janesville, MN, Bradley (Angela) of Savage, MN, John (Becky) of Tracy, MN and Duane of Long Prairie, MN; one daughter, Janet (Jason) Donner of Aitkin, MN; twelve grandchildren, Megan, Timothy, McKenzie, Leif, Ryan, Jennifer, LeAnne, Krista, Tristan, Danica, Taylor-Thomas, and Landon; eight great grandchildren, Anneliese, Jada, Dominic, Brianna, Hailey, Carson, Adam John, and Grace; one brother, Charles (Stella) Swanson of Balaton, MN; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends including life-long friend, Pete Duinkerken of Worthington, MN. His son, Larry, his parents, five brothers, Victor, Enoch and Swan Swanson, George and Earl Acton and two sisters, Mabel Fox and Zelma Nelson preceded him in death.