Charles “Chuck” Larry Swanson

March 11, 1938 – October 12, 2025

Age 87

Charles Larry Swanson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on October 12th, 2025, at the age of 87.

Born on March 11th, 1938, in Royalton Township, Pine County, Minnesota. Charles was the son of Fritz and Ethel (Lindstrom) Swanson. He was one of ten siblings and grew up surrounded by the warmth and bustle of a large family. He attended District #12 for grade school and graduated from Pine City High School before proudly enlisting in the United States Army.

In 1956, Charles completed 18 weeks of training at Fort Carson, Colorado, and served overseas, crossing the Atlantic aboard the U.S.S. Patch and returning home on the U.S.S. Buckner. He completed his six-year military commitment in the Army Reserves, continuing his dedication to service and country.

On June 24th, 1961, Charles married the love of his life, Carol. They met at the local A&W, and that was the beginning of their story. Together, they built a life rooted in love and community, residing in Rush City for 57 years and sharing 64 wonderful years of marriage. Charles was deeply involved in veterans' affairs and served as Post Commander of VFW Grothe Jacobson Post #6692, a role he held with pride and honor.

He was employed at Donavan’s and Land O’Lakes in Pine City, spent 17 years at Quality Park Env Co in Saint Paul, and devoted 21 years to Amber Mill in Rush City. He concluded his career with 5½ years of service at East Central Sanitation.

Charles cherished his many camping adventures with Carol, exploring places such as Lake Havasu, Arizona, and Puerto Peñasco, Mexico. Many would compliment his well-manicured lawn, which even held a few town ball games. He found joy in life’s simple pleasures—completing the daily crossword, playing solitaire on his tablet, and listening to the timeless voice of George Jones. A fan of Western novels, the unmistakable rumble of a Harley, and anything Ford.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Fritz and Ethel, and his siblings Rodney, Bonnie, Willard, Phillip, Harlan, Lowell, and Darrel.

He is survived by his devoted wife Carol; his brother Rodney and sister Lois; his children Jodi (Bruce) Lindahl, Terri (Michael) Morrow, Heidi (Greg) Scheffer, and Todd (Lori) Swanson; grandchildren Dustin (Rachel), Corey (Amy), and Shay Willert, Kasey (Zach) Cesafsky, Cody (Emily) Morrow, and Kaylynn (Rod) Morrow, Ellie (Jeremy) Edstrom, Logan (Sydney) and Matthew Swanson: great grandchildren Kian and Kade Willert, Blake, Weston and Evan Willert, Jaxon Willert, Jayden and Joshua Cesafsky, Kaison and Charlie Mae Morrow, Austyn and Miller Edstrom.

Charles will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to family, his service to his country, and the quiet, humble strength with which he lived his life.

His legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

A funeral service will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 25th, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church. A time for visitation will take place one hour before the service. The interment will take place at First Lutheran Cemetery following the service. A fellowship luncheon will follow the interment back at First Evangelical Lutheran Church.