Obituary of Ronald W. Swanson

Age 77, of Maplewood, formerly of White Bear Lake, Peacefully passed into eternal life on July 30, 2017, after a short four months of living with stage four lung cancer. He was preceded in death by parents Willard & Elmira Swanson., who had four sons, Ron, Larry, Greg and Dan. Ron attended St. Agnes High School where he met Betty Ann Kostolnik in 1957. They were married on June 25, 1960. They lived in St. Paul from June 1960 -Sept. 1961. Their first child, Rick, was born on Aug. 25, 1961, missing his daddy’s birthday (Aug. 27), by 2 days. A move to Fargo ND in Sept. of 1962 was in order when Ron was promoted to a Territory Manager position for Johnson & Johnson. While living there, Laurie and Lisa were born. Within four years they became parents of their three children, and Betty had her hands full while Ron traveled the states of North & South Dakota, and the western half of Minnesota. In March of 1966, after being marooned in a blizzard for one week in Bismarck ND, the traveling salesman decided he had experienced enough, and moved his family back to Minnesota, where they purchased a home on Midland Ave. in White Bear Lake, then moved in 1980 to a home on Birch Knoll Dr. in White Bear Lake. Ron worked for Tousley Ford, Koppy Motors and other companies. Ron was a consummate sales person and formed Ron Swanson Auto Sales Inc.dba Bacon’s Motors of Forest Lake in 1996. This became his beloved avocation. In 2005, Ron & Betty purchased the townhome in Maplewood where Betty continues to live. For 20 years Ron dedicated his life to working his business six days a week, for 12-14 hours per day, until the cancer prevented him from working further in March of 2017. It was a forced retirement which disappointed him greatly. Meanwhile, beginning in 1987 Rick and first wife (Lisa), Laurie (Mark), and Lisa (John) married and had seven children between them, born between 1989–2006. Rick married our wonderful daughter-in-law, Janet, in 2009. We have delighted in our grandchildren and Ron was a loving grandfather to Emily, Rebecca, and Sarah Munns; Ben and Andrew Swanson; Connor and Thomas West; Amanda and Dale Lindholm, Samantha and Michael Fox, and great granddaughter Fayth Conner. Ron was the respected and loved older brother of Larry (Suzanne), Greg (Ruth), and Dan Swanson; a favorite uncle of 15 nieces and nephews; and loved by many special relatives and friends. He has faithfully served at Rockpoint Church (the former Lakewood EFC) since 1984. He will be remembered for his warm welcome, great smile, hearty laugh, servant heart, and godly life in Christ. He was known for treating people with love, dignity, and respect. His influence has impacted countless lives. We thank God that he is now with his Savior and enjoying life with our departed loved ones and friends in his eternal home. Visitation 11am-1pm with Service at 1pm, Sat. Aug. 19; Rockpoint Church, (Hwy 36 & Keats Ave, Lake Elmo). In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to family for distribution to several ministries/charities.