Roger C. Swanson

Roger C. Swanson, age 87 of Hastings, died peacefully at United Hospital in St. Paul on Monday evening, May 2, 2022. Roger was born in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, on March 28,1935. He was the youngest of four boys to Arthur and Myrtle Swanson. Roger was baptized and confirmed at St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. He grew up on the family farm outside Cannon Falls where he learned his strong work ethic. Roger graduated from Cannon Falls high school in 1953. He played on the basketball team and was senior class president. After graduation, he continued to work on the family farm for a number of years and served in the US Army Reserve. He married his high school sweetheart, Fern (Martenson) Swanson and they were married for 52 years. In 1963 he moved to Hastings. Roger received a Senior Engineering Technician degree. He worked for the Minnesota Department of Transportation for 41 years. He held a number of positions and finished his career as a Senior Engineering Specialist working in the Estimating Unit. Upon retirement, Roger and Fern spent many winters in Mesa, Arizona enjoying the warm weather and many activities at Viewpoint Golf Resort. In the later years, Roger enjoyed spending winters in Sun City, Arizona with his special friend, JoAnn Hoffman. He was an active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, serving on the church council, memorial and gifts committee, and participated in many other church activities. His greatest joy was spending time with family and friends! He treasured getting together with family for birthdays, holidays, weekends at the cabin, or a casual dinner. He also enjoyed traveling both domestic and abroad, time with neighbors, men’s Bible study and his weekly golf group. He will be remembered for his kind, humble and gentle spirit. Roger was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Fern Swanson; brothers, Wallace Swanson and Harlan (& Glennis) Swanson, and nephew, Steve Swanson. He is survived by and will be greatly missed by his son, Mark Swanson; daughter, Julie (Steve) Lund; daughter, Jill (Brian) Whisler; and grandchildren, Michael ( Erin) Lund, Matthew Lund (fiancée, Bethany Tangen), Sara Lund (fiancé Theodore Krumholz), Brianna Fern Whisler, Charles Roger Whisler, Thomas Whisler, and Robert Whisler; great-grandchildren, Christopher John Lund and Sydney Fern Lund; brother, Ellis (Gerry) Swanson; sister-in-law, Dorothy Swanson; and many nieces, nephews and very special friend, JoAnn Hoffman. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 12, 2022, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 400 W. 9th St. in Hastings, with Pastor Lloyd Menke officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Hastings. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion St. in Hastings, and also one hour prior to the service at church on Thursday morning. Memorials preferred to Our Saviour's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hastings. Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.