Wesley Swanson

Wesley (Wes) Roy Swanson, age 92, formerly of McIntosh, MN, passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at an assisted living facility in Sun City West, AZ. He died from complications related to Parkinson’s Disease. A memorial graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 23rd, at Asphult Cemetery, rural McIntosh, with the Rev. Mark Richardson officiating. A time for visiting and a bite to eat will be held after the service at Immanuel Lutheran Church in McIntosh (305 NW Jackson Ave., McIntosh, MN 56556). Local arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

He was born June 8, 1933 in Hill River Township near McIntosh, MN to Alvin and Alma (Enerson) Swanson. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. Wes was a man of faith who loved God and insisted on being at worship every Sunday, including his last Sunday on Earth. He served on several church councils and committees at the congregations he attended.

Wes grew up on a farm near McIntosh, MN and graduated from McIntosh High School in 1951. He enrolled at the University of Minnesota later that year. He was drafted into the US Army in 1953 and served in Korea for 11 months. After his discharge from the army, he returned to the University and graduated as a mechanical engineer in 1958. In 1956 Wes met Sonja Lien and they were married in Mt. Horeb, WI on August 15, 1959. In 1960 Wes received an MBA from the University of Minnesota and began working for 3M Company in St. Paul, MN. During his career at 3M, Wes worked in St. Paul, MN and Bedford Park, IL. He also worked for six months each in India (1990) and China (1993-94).

In 1995 Wes and Sonja became "snow birds ", spending their winters in Arizona and summers in Minnesota. In 2020 they became full time residents in Sun City West, AZ. During his retirement, Wes enjoyed traveling, genealogy, family get-togethers, reunions, playing pinochle and hiking with the hiking clubs in the communities where he lived. He was very proud of having hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and, of course, back up again. He did volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity and Global Health Ministries. He served as president of VASA, a Swedish heritage organization and as president of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association West Valley.

Wes was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sonja; two sons, Paul Swanson and Robert (Wendy) Swanson and two granddaughters, Emily (Blake) Arledge and Kelly Swanson. He is also survived by a brother, Wayne (Darlene) Swanson and three sisters, Lilly Olson, Arline Aschenbrenner, and Amy Buckingham (Ray Howell).

Memorials may be made to: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777 or to Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church or King of Kings Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice.