Richard (Rick) Wesley Swanson, age 88, of Sheboygan, died on Sunday, December 13, 2020 at the Sheboygan Progressive Health Care & Rehabilitation Center. He was born in Northwood, ND on April 26, 1932, the son of the late Oscar and Marie Watterud Swanson.
While growing up he attended local schools in Northwood, ND and worked on the family farm as well as neighbors’ farms. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Private 1st Class from 1953 to 1955, in which part of this time he was stationed at Camp Haven in Cleveland. On May 14, 1955 he married the love of his life, Caroline Hurtienne, at St. John’s UCC in Sheboygan, and the two made their home in Sheboygan their entire lives together and remained married for a wonderful 65 years.
During his working years, Rick worked at Vinyl Plastics for 3 years and then the Vollrath Company for 35 years until his retirement in 1994. He worked in the draw press area prior to becoming a foreman. He was a member of St. John’s UCC, serving on the church council at different times as well as the church brotherhood throughout the years. Rick was a very active man and loved to hunt, fish and bowl and he belonged to many different hunting and fishing clubs and bowling leagues in the area throughout his life. He was also quite the handyman and was adept at carpentry, electrical, and plumbing. He also liked to travel with Caroline, and they started their retirement with a 3-month trip that culminated in Alaska. One of the highlights of their trip to Alaska was a fishing trip off the coast of Alaska in which Rick caught a 134-pound halibut that was 5 feet 6 inches long. They feasted on their grilled halibut for about a year! They also enjoyed wintering in Florida for many years
Survivors include his wife, Caroline, of Sheboygan; children, David Swanson, of Coal Valley, IL, and Sandra (John) Madson, of Sheboygan; grandchildren, Diana Rouse, Tina (Rob) Lacy, both of Green Bay, and Andrea Madson, of Sheboygan; great-grandchildren, Kristen (Oscar) Rodriguez, Megan Denman, and Trevor Rouse and a soon-to-be great, great granddaughter. Richard was preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Carol Kasper, his parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, LeRoy and Anna Hurtienne, his brother, Paul, a brother-in-law, LeRoy Hurtienne Jr., and sisters-in-law, Merrie Ann (Hurtienne) Pankratz and Crystal Swanson. He was also preceded in death by many special friends (especially Joyce and Jim Creech) and other relatives.
While Rick had dementia for quite a few of his last years, he always had a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eye and he never lost his wonderful sense of humor!
In accordenance to the family’s wishes a private service will be held. The Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.reinboldfh.com