Daniel “Dan” Glen Swanson, age 70, of rural Janesville died peacefully with his loving wife by his side on Monday, June 19, 2023, at their home.
A Celebration of Dan’s Life will be held from 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm (41142 160th Street) by Waseca. Following the prayer service will be a time of sharing memories and fellowship.
Memorials are preferred to Mayo Hospice or to the donor’s choice.
Dan was born on June 14, 1953, in Tracy to Elmer and Phyllis (Nott) Swanson. He attended Balaton Public School where he excelled in football, graduating with the class of 1971. Dan continued his education at Mankato State University where he met the love of his life, Carol Filter. They were united in marriage on November 13, 1976, at Tracy Lutheran Church. Dan and Carol began their married life together living in Mankato before moving to the country in 1983, near Minneopa State Park. In 2000, Dan and Carol purchased a property near Janesville which was known to them as their “Labor of Love.” In his early years Dan worked on a construction crew building wooden grain elevators and later worked for a local company installing doors, siding and windows before going into business for himself as a carpenter, which he did until his health no longer allowed.
Dan had a passion for music, loving to sing and play his guitar or just listen to good live music. He was an avid home brewer of both beer and wine and enjoyed hunting alongside his special bird dog, Lola. He also enjoyed fishing. Many weekends were spent at coon hunting competitions, making many friends along the way. Dan cherished time traveling the country on extended road trips with Carol. Although Dan and Carol never had children of their own, Dan held a special place in his heart for each and every one of his nieces and nephews and cherished all of the memories he made with them. Dan will be remembered as a wise man who was always trying to help others better themselves. He made Carol laugh every day. Above all else, Dan loved his wife endlessly. He will be dearly missed.
Dan is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Carol; mother, Phyllis of Balaton; siblings: Brad (Angie) of Savage, John (Becky) of Tracy, Duane (Jamie) of Long Prairie, and Janet (Jay) Donner of Aitkin; brothers and sisters-in-law: Dorothy (Gary) Meyer of Waltham, Larry (Lana) Filter of Le Center, Bonnie (Jim) Wall of Donnelly, Terry (Kathy) Filter of Walnut Grove, Connie Hoffmann of Marshall, Patty (Laura Broderdorf) Steuck of Renner, SD, and Lori (Greg) Torkelson of Tracy; 24 nieces and nephews; numerous great nieces and nephews, a great great nephew, other relatives as well as a wide network of friends.
Dan is preceded in death by his father; brother, Larry; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Otto and Eleanor Filter.