Gaylord D. "Swede" Swenson, age 85 of Browntown, died at his home on Thursday, March 21, 2013. He was born December 12, 1927 in Blanchardville, WI, the son of Obert and Alpha (Runden) Swenson. He attended school in Jonesdale and Blanchardville and graduated from high school in Hollandale. In his younger years, Gay worked at cheese factories and several Hollandale area farms. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1950 and was stationed at Camp Atterbury, IN. He served overseas as an ambulance driver while stationed in Baumholder, Germany at the 379th Evacuation Hospital. Following his honorable discharge, Gaylord was united in marriage to Jane Gaetzman on June 4, 1955 in Wausau, WI. They moved to Chicago where Gay attended Weeden Barber College. They came to Monroe where Gay began his barbering career at the Walter Day Barber Shop in 1957. He owned Swenson's Barber Shop in Monroe for many years and retired in 2009 after 52 years in business. Gaylord was proud of his Norwegian Heritage and enjoyed traveling to Norway and various other countries. He was a charter member of the Ostestaden Sons of Norway Lodge #5-642 of Monroe, St. John's United Church of Christ, and had 50 year memberships in the Monroe Masonic Smith Lodge #31, Monroe Kiwanis Club, V.F.W. Post #2312, American Legion Post #84, and Monroe Moose Lodge #754. He was also a long time member of the Green County Barber Shop Chorus. He was an avid hunter and gardener and enjoyed living on his small farm in rural Browntown. He shared his lifelong love of horses with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jane Swenson of Browntown; a son, Gregg (Jill) Swenson of Corvallis, OR; two daughters, Carolyn (Bryan) Lewis of Sheboygan, WI and Susan (Jim) Sacker of Monroe; six grandchildren, Kyle Lewis of Texas, Kirsten Lewis of St. Paul, MN, Cadet Elijah Lewis of Univ. N.D., Erik Lewis of U.W. Whitewater, Adam Sacker, Sarah Sacker, both of Monroe; his sister, Nancy (Edward) Hughes of Monroe; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Colleen Griffiths.
Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., at St. John's United Church of Christ, Monroe, with Rev. Mike Heath officiating. Inurnment with military rites will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe, followed by a luncheon at the church. Visitation will be at the Newcomer Funeral Home on Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Memorials are preferred in Gaylord's name to St. John's Church or the charity of one's choice.
www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jane Swenson of Browntown; a son, Gregg (Jill) Swenson of Corvallis, OR; two daughters, Carolyn (Bryan) Lewis of Sheboygan, WI and Susan (Jim) Sacker of Monroe; six grandchildren, Kyle Lewis of Texas, Kirsten Lewis of St. Paul, MN, Cadet Elijah Lewis of Univ. N.D., Erik Lewis of U.W. Whitewater, Adam Sacker, Sarah Sacker, both of Monroe; his sister, Nancy (Edward) Hughes of Monroe; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Colleen Griffiths.
Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., at St. John's United Church of Christ, Monroe, with Rev. Mike Heath officiating. Inurnment with military rites will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe, followed by a luncheon at the church. Visitation will be at the Newcomer Funeral Home on Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Memorials are preferred in Gaylord's name to St. John's Church or the charity of one's choice.
www.newcomerfuneralhome.net