Dr. Gerald Ernest Swanson, 90, of Bloomington, MN, left this earth for his Heavenly home on April 19, 2026.

Jerry was born to Ernie & Inie Swanson on May 14, 1935 and was raised in Richfield, MN. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1953. He was very enthusiastic about being involved in Boy Scouts and earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a teenager. In scouts he learned essential life skills, leadership, and character development.

He graduated from the University of Minnesota (Undergrad and Medical School). From 1958 – 1960, he served in the army at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Denver. On a blind date, he met his beloved wife, Jan, and they married in 1964. Together, they raised their three children in Bloomington.

Jerry loved medicine and was an Internist who was affiliated with Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis for many years. He was an advocate for his patients and gave them the highest level of care. As a life long learner, Jerry spent most of his free time reading medical journals and newspapers. Many other interests included having meaningful conversation, sailing, photography, classical music, tending to his rose garden and taking his family on many wonderful trips- all educational of course! He sat on the Board of the Swedish Institute for many years. His faith was very important to him and he attended church every Sunday, even online from Friendship Manor for six years.

Above all, Jerry cherished time with his children and grandchildren and wanted to give them new experiences. He took them to museums, to watch planes land, to Lake Harriet to watch the sailboats and listen to summer concerts at the bandshell, to Minnehaha Falls, and a tour of the Bloomington Water Treatment Plant. He attended as many of their games, concerts and activities as he could.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, JoAnne, and brother, Bobby. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Jan, his three children, Kirsten (Blaine) Gundershaug, Eric (Andree) and Rondi (Geoff) Goellner and grandchildren Matt (Masha), Jake (Nichole), Ben, Josie, Ana and Luke, great grandchildren, Misha, Cameron and Anya, and his sisters, Mary Susan and Jeanne.

We extend a special thanks to Friendship Manor of Shakopee for the loving and excellent care he received there.

A memorial service will be held at Hope Church 7132 Portland Ave S, Richfield on Friday, June 5th with visitation at 10 am and service at 11 am. A luncheon will follow the service. Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Hope Church or The Swedish Institute in Minneapolis or donor’s choice.