Larry R. Swanson

Larry Swanson, age 67, of Nampa, Idaho, formerly of Beach, North Dakota, passed away on Monday, November 10, 2008, in Beach. Visitation will be held from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Saturday, November 15, 2008, at the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Beach. A Vigil will be held at 3:00 P.M., Sunday, November 16, 2008, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Beach. Following the Vigil, at 4:30 P.M., family and friends are invited to the American Legion in Beach for lunch. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M., Monday, November 17, 2008, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Reverend Father David Richter officiating. Rite of Committal will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in Golva, North Dakota. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Beach is entrusted with arrangements. Larry was born on January 20, 1941, to Francis A. and Moline (Rud) Swanson, on his grandfather's farm in Sidney, Montana. He graduated from Makoti High School with the class of 1959. While in high school he was a stand out basketball player, leading the state in scoring records. He attended Valley City State Teacher's College. Larry joined the United States Army in 1961 and served for three years. Later in life, he returned to college and graduated from Colorado School of Banking. When he was discharged from the service, he moved to Wibaux, Montana, to work at First National Bank of Wibaux. It was there that he met the love of his life, Ann Schmitz. They married in August of 1965 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Wibaux. In 1972 they moved to Beach and he continued his banking career at Farmers and Merchants Bank, working for J.T. Hudson. In his spare time he farmed the family farm at Yates, Montana. Larry and his fellow bank partners later purchased Farmers and Merchants Bank, First State Bank of Golva, and First National Bank of Linton. After selling his interest in the banks in 1990, he purchased Brengle's Sales and Service. He remained the owner of the car dealership until 2000. Upon his retirement Larry moved to Billings, Montana, and later to Nampa, Idaho, were he resided until his death. In his retirement he acquired many new skills: daycare provider to his grandkids, carpenter for his boys, hired hand at the farm, taxi driver for his grandkids, and cook for Ann. His greatest joy was being with his family and doing things to make their lives easier, from running errands to baking brownies. He took his entire family to Disneyland in March (via Las Vegas, of course) where lasting memories were made. He was fiercely proud of his children and their successes, but his greatest accomplishments called him "Grandpa;" they were the light of Larry's life. He would often sing to them, sometimes to their embarrassment, "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You." He attended their ballgames, baptisms, concerts, graduations, and other important events. Larry will be deeply missed by them. He also enjoyed his extended family and loved to gather them together for yearly camping and hunting trips. Although he had moved away from the Beach area, his many friends were always in his thoughts. He enjoyed wonderful friendships with those of whom he shared numerous good times and laughs. It is a comfort to his family that Larry's final days were spent with Al and his boys, his brothers, and friends, doing what he liked to do at the place that was always home to him. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Elliott, infant grandson Sawyer, parents-in-law Art and Florence Schmitz, sisters-in-law Joyce Nunberg and Linda Schmitz, and brother-in-law Robert Schmitz. He is survived by his wife Ann of Nampa, ID; his children Lynn (Thomas) Puckett of Nampa, ID; Matthew "Al" (Michelle) Swanson of Beach, ND; and Jonathan (Twyla) Swanson of Walla Walla, WA; his 9 grandchildren Alexia, Brett, Rachael, Tianna, Gage, Trey, Trevor, Ian, and Ryker; his brothers Bruce (Susan) Swanson of Plains, MT; Leland (Norene) of Boulder, MT; and Vern (Carol) Gohl of Lake Havasu, AZ; his brother-in-law Gary Nunberg of Wibaux, MT; and his brother and sister-in-law Katy and Jerry Gunderson of Billings, MT; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Larry R. Swanson

January 20, 1941 - November 17, 2008

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Larry R. Swanson

January 20, 1941 - November 17, 2008

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support