Obituary for James E Swanson
James Edward Swanson Swanson, James Edward age 81 of Eagan and Edina, MN passed away peacefully on March 12, 2022, after a valiant battle with COPD.
Jim was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan on March 19, 1940, to the late Edward and Vera (Fearing) Swanson. He grew up in nearby Florence and Wabeno, Wisconsin. Jim spent his high school years in Wabeno, active in almost every sport and school activity - basketball, football, band, choir, glee club, student council. Jim went on to attend college at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, joining ROTC and receiving flight training. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force.
On August 11, 1962, Jim married Joan Kuehni. They proceeded to live on several Air Force Bases in Oklahoma, Texas, and California, having babies while Jim trained to pilot B-52 aircraft. Jim quickly put his flight training to use when he was called to serve his country in Vietnam. Jim flew over 62 missions and earned four Air Force medals of honor. Upon completing his tour in Vietnam, Jim joined Northwest Airlines, moved his growing family to Minnesota and became a life-long commercial airline pilot/captain.
Though he had many exciting and exotic travels over his 34 years as a commercial pilot, Jim’s passion was fishing and hunting in “God’s Country,” spending time with friends and family at the lake home on Keyes Lake in Northern Wisconsin. He especially treasured his up north adventures with his lifelong friend Art, his brothers Ron & Don, sister Bev, and all of his extended Swanson family - Many a tall fishing tale was told! The grandchildren especially liked Grandpa’s updates on the elusive “Walter Walleye”. Jim was an avid fan (is there any other kind?) of the Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packer’s - though he lived his last fifty years in Minnesota, he stayed true to his Wisconsin roots and teams.
Most importantly, Jim was a loving husband to Joan for 60 fun and eventful years and a devoted father to five children Wendy (Suk Won), Suzanne (Mark), Kristen (Steve), Anne (Tony), and John (Kelly), and proud Grandpa and “Pop Pop” to ten wonderful grandchildren Jay (Julie), Sean (Anne Marie), Alex (Elizabeth), Kate, Mikey, PJ, Chloe, Max, Mariza, and Zio. Grandpa never missed a choir performance, band concert, sporting event, or graduation and was his grandkids’ biggest cheerleader. He loved to make people laugh, was quick to give praise and encouragement, and continues to be a role model to us all.
Visitation will be Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Jacobs Funeral Home, 1025 Carpenter Ave., Iron Mountain, MI. A celebration of life will be Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home. A luncheon will take place immediately following the service. Interment will be held in late spring at Woodlawn Cemetery in Florence, Wisconsin.
In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the River Alliance of Wisconsin (wisconsinrivers.org).
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Jim’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich., to honor Jim’s legacy of life.
Jim was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan on March 19, 1940, to the late Edward and Vera (Fearing) Swanson. He grew up in nearby Florence and Wabeno, Wisconsin. Jim spent his high school years in Wabeno, active in almost every sport and school activity - basketball, football, band, choir, glee club, student council. Jim went on to attend college at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, joining ROTC and receiving flight training. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force.
On August 11, 1962, Jim married Joan Kuehni. They proceeded to live on several Air Force Bases in Oklahoma, Texas, and California, having babies while Jim trained to pilot B-52 aircraft. Jim quickly put his flight training to use when he was called to serve his country in Vietnam. Jim flew over 62 missions and earned four Air Force medals of honor. Upon completing his tour in Vietnam, Jim joined Northwest Airlines, moved his growing family to Minnesota and became a life-long commercial airline pilot/captain.
Though he had many exciting and exotic travels over his 34 years as a commercial pilot, Jim’s passion was fishing and hunting in “God’s Country,” spending time with friends and family at the lake home on Keyes Lake in Northern Wisconsin. He especially treasured his up north adventures with his lifelong friend Art, his brothers Ron & Don, sister Bev, and all of his extended Swanson family - Many a tall fishing tale was told! The grandchildren especially liked Grandpa’s updates on the elusive “Walter Walleye”. Jim was an avid fan (is there any other kind?) of the Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packer’s - though he lived his last fifty years in Minnesota, he stayed true to his Wisconsin roots and teams.
Most importantly, Jim was a loving husband to Joan for 60 fun and eventful years and a devoted father to five children Wendy (Suk Won), Suzanne (Mark), Kristen (Steve), Anne (Tony), and John (Kelly), and proud Grandpa and “Pop Pop” to ten wonderful grandchildren Jay (Julie), Sean (Anne Marie), Alex (Elizabeth), Kate, Mikey, PJ, Chloe, Max, Mariza, and Zio. Grandpa never missed a choir performance, band concert, sporting event, or graduation and was his grandkids’ biggest cheerleader. He loved to make people laugh, was quick to give praise and encouragement, and continues to be a role model to us all.
Visitation will be Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Jacobs Funeral Home, 1025 Carpenter Ave., Iron Mountain, MI. A celebration of life will be Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home. A luncheon will take place immediately following the service. Interment will be held in late spring at Woodlawn Cemetery in Florence, Wisconsin.
In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the River Alliance of Wisconsin (wisconsinrivers.org).
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Jim’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich., to honor Jim’s legacy of life.