Donald T. Swanson
JANESVILLE- Donald T. Swanson died at the age of 82 at home January 8, 2013. Don was raised in Ellsworth, WI on a family farm, the son of Theodore and Helen Swanson. After graduating early at age sixteen from Ellsworth High School, he became a master cheese and butter maker. He was drafted into the army in 1951 and served two years in Germany during the Korean War. Don was also a member of the Wisconsin National Guard for more than thirty years.
Upon his return from Germany, Don graduated from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and minors in Math and Physical Education. He began to teach high school in Alma, WI before moving to Janesville in 1959 to take a teaching position at Janesville Senior High school (later Joseph A. Craig) and retiring in 1992. During his time teaching, Don also was involved with coaching basketball, swim, track and football. Additionally, he served as Craig’s Athletic Director for fifteen years.
Don is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ellen; and his five children: Michael (Robyn), Daniel (Ellen), Steven, Thomas (Meghan), and Stacy (Matt Arnold, fiancé); and seven grandchildren: Lindsay, Matthew, Amanda, Brian, David, Jack and Mick, and an eighth grandchild due in April. He was preceded in death by his parents and his twin brother, Duane.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, at ST. JOHN VIANNEY CATHOLIC CHURCH, Janesville. Burial will take place Monday at the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, King, WI. Visitation will take place on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at ST. JOHN VIANNEY CATHOLIC CHURCH. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Don’s name to ECHO or Agrace Hospice. SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME is assisting the family with arrangements.
Don always gave all he had to his family, his students, his athletes, and his National Guard. The family thanks Agrace Hospice Care, Inc. for their care and attention to his last days.
