Harry Raymond Swick

Harry Raymond Swick age 87 of Balaton, MN died Sunday, November 23, 2008 at the Sanford-Tracy Medical Center in Tracy, MN. A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, November 29, 2008 at the Balaton Community Center in Balaton. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until time of service on Saturday. A luncheon will be served at the Balaton Community Center following the service. The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton is handling the arrangements. Harry Raymond Swick was born March 1, 1921 to Robert Norris and Erna (Lutaensjans) Swick in Pillsbury, ND, Barnes County. He was baptized in the Christian faith and attended school in Pillsbury. He grew up on a farm and as a young man he helped his father and also worked for the Burlington-Northern Railroad. In 1942, Harry was inducted into the U. S. Navy in Valley City, ND and after his honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to his home area. He went to work for the Morris & Knutson Construction that worked with many railroad contracts. From there he worked into Canada, Alaska and northern Minnesota. He spent some years out east in Erie, PA and in Brazil, mostly building railroad bridges. When he returned to the states he lived in the Staples and Pilager, MN area on a farm. Then he went back to the B&N railroad in Minnesota and Colorado. In 1975 he started S&D Railroad Contractors and ran the business until 1999 when he retired. In 1979 he moved to Balaton, MN and remained in his home until his death. He enjoyed horses, playing cards, keeping busy and working and spending time with friends over a cup of coffee. On Sunday, November 23, 2008 Harry died at the Sanford-Tracy Medical Center at the age of 87. Harry is survived by his five daughters, Katherine Sauve of St. Paul, MN, Mary Helen (Terry) Wieczoreck of Mora, MN, Gladys (Sam) Kim of St. Paul, MN, Roberta (Mark) Messer of Pierz, MN and Laura (Brian) Johnson of Sherburn, MN; one son, Robert Swick of Balaton, MN; nine grandchildren; one sister, Katherine Gladys Kingston of Lisbon, ND; nieces, nephews and a host of friends. His parents and one brother, Robert Swick preceded him in death.