Carl Swanson

Carl R. Swanson, 88, of Topeka passed away September 20, 2007 at Stormont-Vail Medical Center. He was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother.

He was born December 26, 1918 in San Juan, Texas, the son of Charles Gustov Swanson and Haddi Anna Dorthea (Hazenjaeger) Swanson. Carl grew up in Pleasanton, Kansas on the family dairy farm. With the outbreak of World War II he enlisted in the Kansas National Guard, spending 5 years on active duty and participating in General Patton's 3rd Army's march across France and into Germany. Prior to his departure for Europe he married Rachael Maxine Swanson, his high school sweetheart.

After the war, Carl and his family moved to Sioux City, Iowa and later Paola, Kansas where he learned the plumbing trade. In 1957 his family moved to Topeka where he worked for McCaig Plumbing until his retirement in 1981. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rachael Maxine Swanson of Topeka, son Stan Swanson and his wife Sharyl of Topeka, granddaughter Meridith (Swanson) Bihuniak of Leawood, Kansas and her husband Chris and their four sons Samuel, Oliver, Avery and Emerson, and grandson Wylie Swanson of Phoenix, Arizona, and his wife Camille and son Gage.

A Visitation is scheduled at 9:00 a.m. Monday, September 24, 2007 at the Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 Wanamaker Drive, Topeka, Kansas. Funeral services will be conducted at the funeral home at 10:00 a.m. A committal service will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Pleasanton Cemetery in Pleasanton, Kansas.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 599, Topeka, Kansas, 66601 or the First Christian Church, 1880 SW Gage Blvd., Topeka, Kansas 66604.