Karl Jay Swartout, 81, Surrey and formerly of Minot died on Monday, October 24, 2011 in a Mandan hospital.

Karl was born on June 28, 1930 in Champlin, Minnesota, to Jay and Lillian (Sykes) Swartout. He was raised and educated in Champlin and attended high school in Anoka, MN. Karl graduated from Osseo High School in 1950. He was active with the Minnesota Army National Guard before he was activated into the US Army on December 26, 1950. He served until September 23, 1952. Karl married Dela Skipper on January 4, 1952 in Camp Rucker, Alabama. After his discharge Karl resided in Dothan, Alabama where he was employed in the shoe department of Famous Department Store. The family moved to Minnesota in 1954 and he was employed in a shoe store in Minneapolis. The family moved to Minot in 1964 and Karl was the manager of the Ellison's Department Store shoe department from 1964 until 1977. Then Karl was hired by the Minot Daily News in their circulation department and was there for 24 years. He retired in 2001.

Karl was a member of the American Legion and served as a post commander. He was actively involved with the Boy Scouts and Legion Baseball. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.

Karl's hobbies included fishing, gardening, hunting and watching baseball.

Karl's loving family includes: his wife of 59 years Dela; children: John (Theresia) Swartout, Williston, ND, Robert (Chris) Swartout, Glenburn, ND and Karla (Mark) Raciborski, Minot, ND; grandchildren: Shana (Mike) Mitchell, Eufaula, AL, LaRenda (Jeff) Etris, Eufaula, AL, Tommy (Shannon) Warr, Mobile, AL, Lacey Raper, Eufaula, AL, Heather (Ryan) Johnson, Velva, ND, Skyla Raciborski, Minot, ND, Breanna Quarne, Glenburn, ND and Donavon Swartout, Glenburn, ND; great-grandchildren: Kevin Mitchell, Tabitha Mitchell, Erin Etris, Erica Etris, Kyle Raper, Baleigh Raper, Regan Warr, Raleigh Warr and Krystal Johnson; great-great-grandchild, Carter Mitchell, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Cheryl Warr, brother John Swartout, and sisters Evelyn Hartkopf and Irene Francis.

Funeral service: Friday, October 28, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment will be in the Veteran's Section of Rosehill Memorial Park
Visitation: Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Magic City Youth Baseball organization.