Gerald L. Swenson
Gerald “Jerry” Swenson died peacefully at home surrounded by family on November 3, 2020 in Port Orange, FL at the age of 75.
Jerry married Judith K. Johnson, his high school sweetheart in 1964. He graduated from Concordia College in 1967 with a degree in Psychology. He later moved to Worthington, MN where began working for the State of Minnesota as a rehabilitation counselor. In 1973, his passion for helping people led him to Bemidji, MN where he became the director of North Central Inc, a sheltered workshop dedicated to employing individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. In 1975, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to buy Core Craft, Inc a manufacturer of canoes and various fiberglass products and component parts. During their years in Bemidji, Jerry and Judy raised three children, Samuel, Matthew and Sarah. Jerry served the community as an employer, church member of Evangelical Covenant Church and as Chairman of the Bemidji School Board. Jerry’s last business venture was in Omaha, NE as the owner of Classic Marble a cultured marble manufacturing business serving the Omaha construction market. He entered retirement in 2008.
Jerry was an avid outdoorsman and passed on his love of hunting and fishing to his children. Throughout the years, he hosted family and friends on many hunting weekends creating many treasured memories. He is remembered for his generosity, his willingness to help others in need and the many friendships created over a lifetime of caring for and helping others. He valued these relationships above any other accomplishments in his life and was richly blessed to receive a tremendous outpouring of love during his last months from so many of the people who he touched throughout his rich life.
Jerry is survived by his wife Judith of 55 years; adult children Samuel (Lynn) Swenson of Port Orange, FL, Matthew (Michelle) Swenson of Kansas City, MO, Sarah (Sean) Maroney of Port Orange, FL; grandchildren Tyler Swenson, Mattie Ann Swenson, Tanner Swenson, Vivian Swenson, Dylan Maroney and Thomas Swenson; his siblings, James (Barbara) Swenson, Judy Ann (Gary) Swenson, Douglas (Sheila) Swenson, Milton (Kim Nichols) Swenson, Virginia (Jim) Bauman; sister-in-law Marguerite Swenson. He is preceded in death by his parents Roland C. and Vivian Swenson of Willmar, MN; his brother Roland E. “Rollie” Swenson.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date in Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Halifax Health - Hospice, Fund Development, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32129 Condolences may be sent to https://baldwincremation.com/obituaries/gerald-swenson/