Jerry Swanson

Jerry Odean Swanson passed away on July 30, 2021, at Madison County Memorial Hospital. Jerry was born in rural Roland, Iowa on June 6, 1940, to Orva Helen (Olson) and Joseph Albert Swanson. He graduated from Roland High School and moved to California soon after where he attended technical college. He made his career working for the Farr Company where he was a manager in the engineering department. He also worked for Circuit City and as a handyman after retiring. Jerry was involved in Indian Guides when his boys were young. He was a baseball umpire and an avid Angels fan. He had a passion for steam engine trains and enjoyed the history of early American rail lines. Jerry moved to Winterset, Iowa in 2015 to be closer to family and his central Iowa roots. He enjoyed reconnecting with classmates and childhood friends from Roland, Iowa. He loved being part of family events including being called “Gruncle” by his great, great nieces and nephew. Jerry became active at St. Paul Lutheran Church and enjoyed being a member of the church council and running the music sound board for services. Jerry was a volunteer at the Madison County Historical Society Museum and an active member of the Winterset Kiwanis club where he enjoyed helping with pancake breakfasts. He enjoyed his poker and bridge clubs. Jerry was happy to be part of the community. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, JoAnn Jacobson and Esther Swanson, one brother, Herb (Mary) Swanson, one niece, Lori Jacobson and one nephew, Daniel Jacobson. Jerry is survived by his children, Dana (Danuta) Swanson, Nathan Swanson, and Kimberly (Eric) Chandler, three grandsons, Joshua Swanson, Elijah, and Jude Chandler, as well as nieces Nancy (Russ) Schultz, Cathleen (Scott) Brueske, Kay (Don) Stanley, and Becky (Ross) Diercks, one nephew, Jon (Donna) Jacobson and one nephew-in-law, Jason Kogan, and their families. Jerry’s Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, August 21, 2021, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Winterset. Family will receive guests one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Every Step Hospice, Kiwanis, or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, all in Winterset.