Richard Frank "Dick" Swanson
July 4, 1934 — September 22, 2010
Richard “Dick” F. Swanson, 76, died Wednesday, September 22, 2010, at his home. Memorial Service: 1 p.m., Saturday, September 25, 2010, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home, 520 Wilson Avenue S.W., Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Visitation: Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Celebration of life officiated by Bernie Franks, John Malone and Barb Furman.
Dick was born July 4, 1934, in Elgin, Illinois, the son of Henry and Gertrude Swanson. He attended Washburn High School in Minnesota. He married Merlene Van Meter on June 13, 1970, in Marengo Iowa. Dick attended school at the University of Iowa (Oakdale) for Chemical Dependency Counseling. He devoted his life to helping others for 17 years as the director of St. Lukes Chemical Dependency Services in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He also worked for many years for Southwestern Mental Health Center as a Chemical Dependency counselor in both Luverne, Minnesota and Pipestone, Minnesota.
Dick loved fishing and being with family and friends.
Dick is survived by his wife of 40 years, Merlene; son, Todd (Shelley) of Savage, Minnesota, Toby (Christine) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Kristofer (Dana) of Luverne, Minnesota; step children, Rick Van Meter (Darlene) of Cedar Rapids, Terry Van Meter (Nancy) of Alton, Illinois, Karla Hankemeier (Jerry) of Mechanicsville, Jeff Van Meter (Gerry) of Cedar Rapids and Scott Van Meter (Katrina) of Marengo; 22 grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and his two faithful companions, Daisy and Donnie.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Spike; and his beloved dog, Millie.
A special thank you to the staff of Special K Transport, St. Luke's Home Health Care, Hospice and all of his friends and co-workers. A special message to all of my friends and family, “One Day at a Time.”
Memorials may be directed to the family at 1310 F Avenue N.W., Cedar Rapids, IA 52405.
Dick was born July 4, 1934, in Elgin, Illinois, the son of Henry and Gertrude Swanson. He attended Washburn High School in Minnesota. He married Merlene Van Meter on June 13, 1970, in Marengo Iowa. Dick attended school at the University of Iowa (Oakdale) for Chemical Dependency Counseling. He devoted his life to helping others for 17 years as the director of St. Lukes Chemical Dependency Services in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He also worked for many years for Southwestern Mental Health Center as a Chemical Dependency counselor in both Luverne, Minnesota and Pipestone, Minnesota.
Dick loved fishing and being with family and friends.
Dick is survived by his wife of 40 years, Merlene; son, Todd (Shelley) of Savage, Minnesota, Toby (Christine) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Kristofer (Dana) of Luverne, Minnesota; step children, Rick Van Meter (Darlene) of Cedar Rapids, Terry Van Meter (Nancy) of Alton, Illinois, Karla Hankemeier (Jerry) of Mechanicsville, Jeff Van Meter (Gerry) of Cedar Rapids and Scott Van Meter (Katrina) of Marengo; 22 grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and his two faithful companions, Daisy and Donnie.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Spike; and his beloved dog, Millie.
A special thank you to the staff of Special K Transport, St. Luke's Home Health Care, Hospice and all of his friends and co-workers. A special message to all of my friends and family, “One Day at a Time.”
Memorials may be directed to the family at 1310 F Avenue N.W., Cedar Rapids, IA 52405.
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