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Raymond Alexander Swan obituary, 5/24/2000


Raymond Alexander Swan, age 96 of Buffalo and formerly
of Cokato, died Wednesday, May 24, 2000.
Raymond was born Oct. 27, 1904, in his home in Cokato,
Minn. He attended Melquist School, located one mile east of the farmhouse
where he grew up.
The fireworks went off when Ray met Mary Rozenberg on the
fourth of July in Annandale, Minn. They were married Sept. 25, 1940, at
Mary’s mother, Jennie’s, home.
In 1942, Ray moved to Manitowoc, Wis., to build submarines
for World War II. Later that year, Mary and their children, Jan and Dale,
joined him.
After the war, they moved to Dassel, Minn., where Ray did
some farming, and worked in plumbing and heating.
When Ray’s mother, Johanna, died in the early ’50s, the
family moved back to Cokato to live with Ray’s father, Gust. Ray continued
farming and running his plumbing and heating business.
From 1970 through 1990, Ray took a break from tractors
and tools to spend winters in Weslaco, Texas. He and Mary spent their evenings
with friends in Ballard’s Trailer Park playing Uno and Dominos.
In April 1990, before returning to Minnesota, Ray accepted
the Lord into his life. Ray’s son, Dale, assisted in baptizing Ray and Mary
in Collinwood Lake that summer.
Ray and Mary moved into Cokato Apartments in 1990 and lived
there until 1995, when they moved to Lake Ridge, Buffalo, Minn.
As his health deteriorated, Ray moved to Ebenezer to live
and be cared for until he went to his heavenly home to be with Jesus, his
Lord and Savior.
Ray is remembered to have a kind and gentle spirit. Like
a typical boy, when he and his brother, Harry, got together, there were
escapades and adventures to make for good family stories.
Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing games, and he
loved to watch the Twins play ball. He looked forward to visits and getting
letters and pictures telling of the activities of his grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.
Ray is survived by, and will be deeply missed by his wife
of 59 years, Mary; his daughter, Janice Hilligoss and husband, Dennis, of
Buffalo; his son, Dale Swan and wife of St. Louis Park; his seven grandchildren:
JoAnn Haupt and husband, Michael; Terri Noller and husband, Mark; Renae
O’Keeffe and husband, Tim; Carol Clapp and husband, Niegel; Raun Swanson
and wife, Jill; Sandy Swan, and Jon Swan and wife, Sara; his five great-grandchildren:
Brandon and Trevor Haupt, and Amanda, Alex and Andria Swanson; and a host
of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gustaf and Johanna;
brothers, Art and Harry; sister, Edna; and great-grandson, Shaun.
Services were conducted at Elim Mission Church, Cokato,
on Saturday, May 27, 11:00 a.m., with the Rev. Wally Glucklich officiating.
Music was provided by Janet and Waldo Moberg.
Pallbearers were grandchildren Sandra Swan, Jon Swan, JoAnn
Haupt, Terri Noller, Renae O’Keeffe, Carol Clapp and Raun Swanson. Interment
was at Cokato City Cemetery.

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