Obituary for Donnell E. "Don" Swanson
Donnell (Don) Edward Swanson, 93 passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at MorningStar Assisted Living in WheatRidge, Colo. Don resided in Iron Mountain, Mich., for 87 years. In 2016 he and his wife, Marian, moved to Colorado, allowing them to make many more memories with their family.
Don was born October 24, 1929, in Iron Mountain, son of the late Edward and Anna (Martinson) Swanson. He was a 1947 graduate of Iron Mountain High School, where he was a member of the cross-country team, football team, and the #1 tennis player in his Senior year. Don worked for Coca-Cola and Lakeshore Inc. until he enlisted in the US Air Force in December 1950-1954. He was stationed in France, working in communications during the Korean war. He then worked for Goodyear Tire Company in Madison, Wisc., until joining his dad at Eureka Tire Company of Iron Mountain.
On June 9, 1956, he was united in marriage to Marian Joan Cloots at St Mary & St Joseph Catholic Church in Iron Mountain. They were married for 64 years until her passing in 2020. They had one daughter Anne.
In 1960 Don joined his father-in-law, Julius Cloots, in the wholesale supply business, Cloots and Swanson Wholesale Supplies. He and Marian continued to own and operate the business for 30 years until they sold it in 1990 and retired in 1991.
Don was an active member of the Covenant Church of Iron Mountain and sang in the choir from an early age. After his marriage, he became a member of St Mary & St Joseph Church, where he was a choir member and usher. Don was a former member of the Chippewa Club, Elks Club, and Pine Grove Country Club for 61 years. He was a member, past secretary, and past President of the Kiwanis Club. In his retirement, Don was a member of the Golden K and loved singing with the Golden Throats. He and Marian shared many meals and fun times with their dear friends in their “Supper Club” for over 50 years.
Don and Marian started dating at the eastside ice rink, where Don was known for his graceful figure 8’s, grapevines, and jumps. They continued to skate together until they were 75. They skied, cross-country skied and golfed with many of their lifelong friends. After retirement, they traveled around the United States, playing as many golf courses as they could find along their route. Don had two hole-in-ones that he was very proud of, and he was known for his accurate putting. For years they traveled to Arizona and Florida to enjoy sunshine and golf with their snowbird friends. Colorado was a great place to golf while visiting Anne and her family. Trips to Hawaii, Europe, and Scandinavia were always great memories that Don loved to share stories about.
Don loved his Packers and could be seen wearing his Packer shirt and cheese head at MorningStar on game days. He was also an avid Michigan football and Michigan State basketball fan. His grandchildren were his pride and joy, and he and Marian drove many miles to cheer them on in their sports.
Survivors include his daughter Anne Swanson Chritz of Arvada, Colo.; three grandchildren, Kevin (Alex) Chritz of Arvada, Colo., Brian (Jessica) Chritz of Berthoud, Colo., and Michelle Chritz of Arvada, Colo.; and four great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Calvin, Sloane, and Vivienne Chritz.
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his wife, Marian, and son-in-law, Carl Chritz.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial gift to the Golden K of Iron Mountain in Don’s memory. Checks can be mailed to: Anne Chritz, 13914 W 74th Ave, Arvada, CO 80005.
A visitation will be held at Spirit of Christ Catholic Church in Arvada, Colorado, from 10 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 20, 2023, with a Mass immediately following. Burial will be at Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain, Mich.
The family extends their sincere thanks to MorningStar Assisted Living in WheatRidge, Colorado, for their kindness and loving care over the past six years. In addition to Bloom Healthcare and Bloom Hospice.
Funeral services in Colorado are being handled by Horan and McConaty Funeral Home in Arvada, Colorado. Local arrangements are being handled by Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, Mich.
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Don’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich., to honor Don’s legacy of life.
Don was born October 24, 1929, in Iron Mountain, son of the late Edward and Anna (Martinson) Swanson. He was a 1947 graduate of Iron Mountain High School, where he was a member of the cross-country team, football team, and the #1 tennis player in his Senior year. Don worked for Coca-Cola and Lakeshore Inc. until he enlisted in the US Air Force in December 1950-1954. He was stationed in France, working in communications during the Korean war. He then worked for Goodyear Tire Company in Madison, Wisc., until joining his dad at Eureka Tire Company of Iron Mountain.
On June 9, 1956, he was united in marriage to Marian Joan Cloots at St Mary & St Joseph Catholic Church in Iron Mountain. They were married for 64 years until her passing in 2020. They had one daughter Anne.
In 1960 Don joined his father-in-law, Julius Cloots, in the wholesale supply business, Cloots and Swanson Wholesale Supplies. He and Marian continued to own and operate the business for 30 years until they sold it in 1990 and retired in 1991.
Don was an active member of the Covenant Church of Iron Mountain and sang in the choir from an early age. After his marriage, he became a member of St Mary & St Joseph Church, where he was a choir member and usher. Don was a former member of the Chippewa Club, Elks Club, and Pine Grove Country Club for 61 years. He was a member, past secretary, and past President of the Kiwanis Club. In his retirement, Don was a member of the Golden K and loved singing with the Golden Throats. He and Marian shared many meals and fun times with their dear friends in their “Supper Club” for over 50 years.
Don and Marian started dating at the eastside ice rink, where Don was known for his graceful figure 8’s, grapevines, and jumps. They continued to skate together until they were 75. They skied, cross-country skied and golfed with many of their lifelong friends. After retirement, they traveled around the United States, playing as many golf courses as they could find along their route. Don had two hole-in-ones that he was very proud of, and he was known for his accurate putting. For years they traveled to Arizona and Florida to enjoy sunshine and golf with their snowbird friends. Colorado was a great place to golf while visiting Anne and her family. Trips to Hawaii, Europe, and Scandinavia were always great memories that Don loved to share stories about.
Don loved his Packers and could be seen wearing his Packer shirt and cheese head at MorningStar on game days. He was also an avid Michigan football and Michigan State basketball fan. His grandchildren were his pride and joy, and he and Marian drove many miles to cheer them on in their sports.
Survivors include his daughter Anne Swanson Chritz of Arvada, Colo.; three grandchildren, Kevin (Alex) Chritz of Arvada, Colo., Brian (Jessica) Chritz of Berthoud, Colo., and Michelle Chritz of Arvada, Colo.; and four great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Calvin, Sloane, and Vivienne Chritz.
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his wife, Marian, and son-in-law, Carl Chritz.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial gift to the Golden K of Iron Mountain in Don’s memory. Checks can be mailed to: Anne Chritz, 13914 W 74th Ave, Arvada, CO 80005.
A visitation will be held at Spirit of Christ Catholic Church in Arvada, Colorado, from 10 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 20, 2023, with a Mass immediately following. Burial will be at Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain, Mich.
The family extends their sincere thanks to MorningStar Assisted Living in WheatRidge, Colorado, for their kindness and loving care over the past six years. In addition to Bloom Healthcare and Bloom Hospice.
Funeral services in Colorado are being handled by Horan and McConaty Funeral Home in Arvada, Colorado. Local arrangements are being handled by Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, Mich.
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Don’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich., to honor Don’s legacy of life.