Robert was called to his eternal rest Monday, July 31, 2023, at his home in Welcome, Minn. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Welcome, and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. Arrangements are under the care of Kramer Family Funeral Home in Trimont, Sherburn and Welcome. Messages of sympathy may be sent to the family online at www.kramerfuneralhome.com

Robert Grant Swanson was born July 3, 1931, to Grant and Anna (Zilske) Swanson in East Chain Township, Martin County, Minn. He was baptized on Aug. 30, 1931, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Elmore, Minn. In 1945, he was confirmed at East Chain Lutheran Church. Robert attended East Chain Elementary and later graduated from East Chain High School in 1949. On Oct. 31, 1950, he entered the U.S. Navy, serving on the USS LSMR 405 stationed at Green Spring Cove, Florida for four years, then on the USS Dealey DE 1006 eight years stationed at Omaha, Neb., then to Newport, R.I. and then four years on the USS Seattle AOE-3 at Norfolk, Virginia. On Dec. 28, 1960, he was united in marriage to Charleen Montgomery at Trinity Lutheran Church in Welcome, Minn. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 16, 1971. They returned to Welcome where they raised their family. Robert was employed as a custodian for Welcome Public School and later at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Fairmont. He then worked for Clifford Farm Drainage in Welcome and then did summer help for the City of Welcome until his retirement in 1996. Robert was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Welcome, served on it’s church board, president for four years, a trustee for 15 years and Sunday School teacher for 24 years. Robert was a life member of Welcome American Legion Post 553, a retired member of the Welcome Fire Department and the Sherburn Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8261 of Sherburn. He also was a member of The Enlisted Retired Association and the DAV Chapter 32.

He is survived by his four children, Brian (Renae) Swanson of Roseville, Minn., Audrey Swanson of Fairmont, Minn., Jerome Swanson and Pam of Smyrna, Tenn., Donna (James) Hand of Fairmont, Minn.; four grandchildren, Aimee Hand and friend, Scott Schmitt, Carlene Hand, Gavin Hand and Richard (Hailey) Mulligan; great-grandson, Jonah Mulligan; sisters, Marian Holland of Fairmont, Minn., Elaine (Lester) Lenz of rural Welcome, Minn.; brother, Edward (Lorna) Swanson of East Chain, Minn.; sister-in-law, Wilma Swanson of Fairmont, Minn.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Darrell (Penny) Montgomery of Zumbrota, Minn. and Ronnie (Marilyn) Montgomery of Welcome, Minn.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Anna Swanson; wife, Charleen Swanson on Feb. 11, 2017; granddaughters, Sarah Hand and Rachel (Farmer) Swanson; brother, Francis and Mae Swanson; father and mother-in-law, Chester and Leona Montgomery; sister and brother-in-law, Kenneth and Wanda Schultz; nephew, Charles Lenz; niece, Beth Schultz; and other relatives.

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