Wesley R Swanson

Wesley (Wes) Roy Swanson passed away at the age of 92 at an assisted living facility in Sun City West, AZ on Saturday, September 20, 2025. He died from complications related to Parkinson’s Disease. 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).

There will be a memorial service at Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church, 15820 W. Clearview Blvd., Surprise, AZ 85374 on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 1 p.m.

On Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 11 a.m. there will be a memorial service at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1583 Radio Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125. Visitation will be one hour before the service beginning at 10 a.m.

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.