David Ralph Swanson

David Ralph Swanson was born on August 17, 1935 to Ralph Ivan Swanson and Leona Mable (Steage) Swanson in Rochester Minnesota. He passed away on October 17, 2026 in his home in Shorewood Senior Center with his family members, his pastor, and his faith by his side. David was a devoted family man who made his family the most important part of his life. He graduated from Rochester High School with the class of 1953, and was later drafted into the army and served from 1958-1960 with El Paso, TX being his last post. On March 30, 1957 he married the love of his life, Dolores (Beilke) Swanson. They had three children: James David, Robin Lynn, and Michael Jon. David was especially proud of his 9 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

David lived a full life combining work and play. He began working in the printing industry while still in high school and continued to work in the industry until he retired. He began at the bottom as a bindery assistant and worked his up the ranks to printing plant manager. He was given an award for managing the most well ran printing plant in Minnesota. His work allowed him to live in Rochester, MN, Owatonna, MN, and rural Mantorville, MN.

David was a sharp card player. 500 was his favorite game, and Dolores and he were members of several card clubs over the years. David as a car buff and drove the dirt track circuit in southeastern Minnesota for many years. He began hunting at age 13 and passed that love of hunting on to his children. He had a great pheasant dog, Corky, and spent many years in deer camp with his sons, relatives and hunting buddies. He hunted deer in northern Minnesota, and in Northern Wisconsin. His last year of deer hunting was 2006. David was an avid canoeist and angler. He went on 25 trips to the Boundary Waters mainly with his two sons. He also liked fishing in Lake Pepin. He caught many nice fish and a snag or two over the years. David loved taking the entire family camping nearly every other summer weekend when the children were younger in an old Shasta trailer.

David was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity. Later he taught Sunday School, was an usher, an Elder, served on the Church Council, and was a leader in the widowers club. Dolores and he were married at Trinity.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Leona Swanson and his wife Dolores Swanson. He is survived by his brother Robert (Patricia) Swanson, Children: James (Amy) Swanson granddaughters Marissa (Ben) and Elise; Robin Swanson and granddaughter Heather, Mike (Laura) Swanson, and grandchildren Jay (Courtney), Shannon (Josh), Johnathon (Beth), Thomas (Jenny), Kelly and Jack. Also, 13 great grandchildren and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00A.M. on Monday, October 26th, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN (222 6th ave SW Rochester, MN) with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Mantorville, MN.

The funeral service will be livestreamed by Trinity Lutheran Church and can be viewed on their YouTube page. https://www.youtube.com/@trinitylutheran/streams

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN.