---

Kermit Swanson, age 85, of Harris passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at M Health Fairview Hospital in Princeton on Friday, October 6, 2023.

Kermit LeRoy Swanson was born at home on February 28, 1938 to Stanley and Mildred (Keiser) Swanson in Rush City, Minnesota.

One of his favorite stories he would tell, was in 1943;  his mom, eight siblings and their dog traveled to Richmond, California in a model A to meet up with his dad, who worked in the shipyards. At the ages of 5, 6 and 7 he would travel with a couple of his brothers where they would transfer on two city buses to shine shoes on the streets of San Francisco.

In 1945, they moved back to Rush City where he attended Willow Grove Country School and later Rush City High School.

In 1961, he married the love of his life, Margie. They were blessed with five beautiful children. They spent many wonderful years traveling. Kermit and Margie traveled to Alaska, Colorado and Ottawa, Canada to name a few. One of his favorite places to visit was Ely where he enjoyed spending quality time with his family members (50+) for the last 56 years. He enjoyed square dancing for many years with Margie. He loved dancing and taught all of his daughters how to Polka. Another one of his favorite pastimes was going to the deer shack, the “Alborn Hilton” with his sons. One of his favorite hobbies was pitching horseshoes with his brother, Wendell, where many trophies were brought home.

He was a welder by trade and worked at Kolstad for 24 years then at General Safety/ Rosenbauer for 23 years, building firetrucks. The highlight of his working career was donating his time working on a firetruck to replace a truck that was lost during 9/11.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Margie; children Brenda (Terrell) Isaman, Tammy (Dan) Good, Rhonda (Wayne) Farr, Shane Swanson, Shad Swanson (Aubrey Coe); grandchildren Jessica Arrigoni (Joey), Andy Isaman, Tashina Good, Cody (Jessalyn) Good, Zach Kermit (Bethanna) Good, Shentel (Cory) Lundeen, Jennifer (Nathan) Stolt, Deon (Brittany) Farr, Emily Swanson, Hunter (Jeanna) Swanson, Lars (Jessica) Swanson, Teagan Swanson, Elly Swanson (Julian), Maryn Swanson; 19 great-grandchildren; sisters Audrey Nelson, Carolyn (Cliff) Rundle; brothers Paul (Mary Ann) Swanson, Gary (Nancy) Swanson; sister-in-law Val Swanson.

He was preceded in death by his parents Stanley and Mildred Swanson; infant sister Eileen; brothers Wendell (Phyllis) Swanson, Marlyn (Margaret) Swanson, Myron (Pat) Swanson, Oren (Janis) Swanson; sister Harriette (Elliot) Nelson; brother-in-law Arden Nelson; great-grandson Cole Good.

Funeral services for Kermit were Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at the Sunrise Bible Church in North Branch. A time of visitation and reviewal was held Tuesday at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City and also one hour prior to the service at the church. The interment took place in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Harris.

Arrangements entrusted to Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel - FuneralAndCrema tionService.com

---