Alvin Swanson was born May 15, 1933. He passed away peacefully on Nov 3, 2012 at Regions Hospital. He was born in the Volga area and resided there for 58 years. He went to the country school of Volga until 8th grade and then went to high school at Amery. During his high school years he was active in FFA and band and also 4H. He played the trombone in band and it was there he met his wife Carlene who also played trombone. They purchased their first home south of the family farm which had been homesteaded in the l800`s. A year later they moved to their 2nd home north of the family farm where he had grown up. He was very proud of the fact that his great grandparents had been one of the founding fathers of Balsam Lutheran Church and that the first services had been held in their log cabin home until a church could be built.
It was in l955 that he married Carlene Parrent. Three sons were born to this union, Tom, Joe and Curt. During his years of marriage Alvin was very involved in 4H. When they moved to their 2nd home Al continued to milk cows but also began raising hogs. He became the hog leader for all of his children`s years in 4H. He was on the church board for 12 years, and also on the cemetery board. His church was very important to him, and though he was quiet about his faith it was very strong. He spent a lot of time snowplowing out the church parking lot for services. Alvin farmed for 33 more years after being married when he then sold his share to his brother and went into construction. During that time they moved into a new home that Alvin built south of Amery. He met a lot of wonderful people who really cared about him during those years.
Alvin had a way with his hands and he built many beautiful things for his home. Alvin also loved bowling, fishing and long drives in the country. The land was important to him and he spent his time really communing with nature. He helped Carlene with her many flowers and in the later years really enjoyed the beauty of them.
God always has plans for his beloved children and Alvin was the kind of man that took each day not worrying about the next. Just accepting what was to be. He was very special, kind and gentle and always willing to help, especially for children. His family was the most important thing in his life and working to provide for us all was his life`s duty. He had been a caretaker for his parents, Carlene`s parents, brother Hubert, and Carlene. He has been truly loved by all her knew him. Now he is in God`s hands. We will miss him dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Ironey Swanson, one sister Phyllis, and one brother Hubert.
He leaves behind his wife Carlene whom he had 56 years of marriage with, sons Tom, Joe (Marilyn), Curt (Linda), grandchildren Travis, Josh, Chelsey, Trevor, Ilissa, Myles, Logan, Spencer, Wynn, Sylvia, and Courtney. Great- grandchildren; Madisyn, Tyler, Tommy, and Melody. And one brother Lester (Marion) many nieces and nephews , friends and family.


Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 7 at 11:00 a.m. at Balsam Lutheran Church in rural Amery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Balsam Lutheran Church. Burial will be at the Balsam Lutheran Cemetery.