Obituaries : Dean William Swenson

Dean William Swenson

VAN HORNE: Dean William Swenson, 78, died of cancer Friday, February 10, 2012 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

A Mass Of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 13, 2012 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Van Horne with Father Brian Dellaert as Celebrant. Committal Services will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery near Keystone. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone from 2 to 5 p.m., on Sunday, where a Scripture Service will begin at 5 p.m. A memorial fund has been established.

Dean was born October 29, 1933 at Swaledale, Iowa to Sherman E. and Beatrice (Cahalan) Swenson. .

On November 29, 1952 he was united in marriage to Norma Jean Austin at Mason City. The couple have made their home in Van Horne the past ten years.

Dean was a meat inspector with the United States Dept. of Agriculture .

He is survived by his wife, Norma Jean of Van Horne; his daughters and sons-inlaw, Sheryl Marie (Brian) Lowe, Deanna Jean (Bruce) Montgomery, Mary Sue (Al) Rausch, and Penny Ann (Jeff) Wolff; twelve grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; two brothers; and four sisters.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother and two sisters.

Dean gave complete devotion to his wife. daughters and their families. He enjoyed taking Norma Jean wherever she wanted to go - including winter vacations to Texas, shopping and gambling. He always said his kids were his best friends and his grandchildren were so special to him. He had wonderful memories and numerous stories to tell about them.

Dean often said, "I may not have been great at anything, but I was good at everything." This was evident as he helped his friends accomplish many projects over the years. In his leisure he enjoyed fishing, hunting,watching Hawkeye Sports, and golfing.