Donald A. Swanson , 86, Minot, died Wednesday, February 05, 2014, in a Minot hospital.

Don was born to Albin and Ethel (Kibby) Swanson on February 22, 1927 in Sanish, ND. He grew up in Sanish and graduated from Sanish High School.

Don joined the US Army in 1943, serving in Berlin as a medic until his honorable discharge in 1945. Following his return, he was united in marriage to Sylvia Niva on October 28, 1951 in Sanish Lutheran Church.

They made their first home in El Centro, CA, where Don ran a cotton picker for a time. They returned to Sanish in 1954, where Don ran a trucking business. He hauled concrete during the construction of the Four Bears Bridge, near New Town. Don also hauled propane for Moss Transport of Williston for one year.

Their family was blessed with the birth of a son, Dwight in 1952, who would later pass away from pneumonia in January 1953. Don started his career path as an electrician working for Ross Green in McKenzie and Mountrail Counties. A second son, Jeffrey Lynn was born July 15, 1955. Don purchased a farm located north of New Town and farmed until the family moved to Minot in 1959.

Don worked as a journeyman electrician for several local contractors until he became the City of Minot Electrical Inspector in 1967, serving the community until 1973. Don along with his son Jeff, started Swanson Electric in 1973, operating the business until his retirement in 2010.

He was a member of First Lutheran Church, Minot and also served a term as secretary for the Rotary Club of Minot.

Don spent most of his time in retirement restoring and fixing anything in the shop he shared with his son. He enjoyed going to flea markets with his wife Sylvia, often scrounging for the hidden treasures or to a car auction with Jeff in search of a new restoration project. Many hours were spent in pure joy while restoring vehicles, especially his prized 1947 International truck, a memory from his youth for his concrete and gravel business. This truck made three trips to the Medora Classic Car show, bringing home a trophy every time. It also made a yearly appearance at the Makoti Threshing Show, making its run in the parade. Don also found enjoyment in collecting vintage radios and recorders of all kinds, restoring them to prime condition. Don was a member of the Dakota Cruisers of Minot and enjoyed attending classic car shows most often making it a family event.

The light of Don's life however was not the shiny cars or radios he restored, it was his family, especially his only granddaughter, Tasha. He simply treasured every moment he spent with her.

Don's surviving family includes loving wife of 62 years, Sylvia Swanson, Minot; son, Jeff (Pat Nolen) Swanson, Minot; granddaughter, Tasha Swanson, Minot, ND and her mother, Jackie Soulis, Jamestown; sister, Carol Dodge, New Town and several nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, infant son, Dwight, sister, Anabel Uran and brother, Lester Swanson.

Funeral Service: Monday, February 10, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in First Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Sunday, February 9, 2014 from noon until 5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.