John William Swanson

John W. Swanson, 73, of Woodward, Iowa, and formerly of Fort Dodge, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at Unity Point Hospice-Taylor House in Des Moines.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2020, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boxholm, Iowa. Rev. Rod Meyer will officiate. Military Rites will be conducted by the Laurens C. Shull American Legion Post #211 of Woodward, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2020 at Carson-Stapp Funeral Home in Ogden, Iowa. Burial will be at Lawn Cemetery near Boxholm at a later date. For online obituaries and condolences visit: www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com

John William Swanson was born on January 2, 1947, in Boone, Iowa, the son of Reuben and E. Kathryn (Hammarstedt) Swanson.

He graduated with the Grand Community High School class of 1965, and furthered his education at Iowa State University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Ag Business. John worked at Land O’Lakes for 32 years. After retiring from Land O’Lakes, John worked at Van Wall Implement in Madrid for 11 years. He also did custom hay baling work in his retirement.

On August 30, 1969, John was united in marriage to Jolene Carlson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boxholm.

John was an avid Iowa State Cyclone fan in which he attended a lot of football and basketball games with his son Stephen. He enjoyed long road trips on his Gold Wing motorcycle with his wife Jolene, taking his children to all 50 states, and especially spending time with his three grandchildren. John also enjoyed woodworking and made many beautiful pieces of furniture for his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister in infancy, Carol Joy Swanson; brother, Paul D. Swanson; and his sister-in-law, Linda Swanson.

Survivors include his wife, Jolene Swanson of Woodward, IA; son, Stephen J. Swanson of Ankeny, IA; daughter, Stefanie (Dave) Baitinger of Ogden, IA; three grandchildren, Lena Jo, Talia Ann, and Axel John Baitinger; brother, Charles D. Swanson of Boxholm, IA; sister-in-law, Bertie Hartjes of Center Point, IA; and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to Trinity Lutheran Church in Boxholm, Iowa.