Larimore - Elmer Swanson, 78, died on Saturday, June 26, 1999 at the Good Samaritan Center in Larimore, ND.
Funeral services will be held today (Wednesday, June 30) at 10 a.m. at Elm Grove Lutheran Church in rural McCanna with Reverend Renee MacLeod officiating. Special music will be provided by organist Olive Solseng, pianist Gloria Temple and soloist Betty Lebrun. Casketbearers will be Richard Thorsell, Donald Enger, Glenn Reistad, Gary Thorsell, Allan Peterson and Wayne Swanson. Interment will be in the Elm Grove Lutheran Cemetery.
Visitation was held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 29 at Bakke Funeral Home in Larimore. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to services at the church.
Elmer Alfred H. Swanson was born on August 21, 1920 at Niagara, ND, the son of Carl Alfred and Nellie (Thorsell) Swanson. He was raised on the family farm and educated at a country school in the Niagara area. He farmed with his dad for many years.
On August 29, 1954 he was united in marriage to Vivienne Lorraine Gordon at the family farm in Niagara. Following their marriage the couple lived on the farm for 11 years. Elmer and Vivienne retired and moved into Larimore where they have since made their home.
He was a member of the Elm Grove Lutheran Church and local Farmers Union.
Elmer is survived by his wife, Vivienne of Larimore; four sons, Allan of Thief River Falls, James of Grand Forks, ND, Gerald (Annie) of Hamilton, MT and Gordon of Grand Forks, ND; two grandchildren; two step great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lyle Swanson of Grand Forks, ND and Carnell Swanson of Larimore, ND; one sister, Gloria Temple of Larimore, ND; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother, Orville. A00003B1999JN30