Clarence E. Swanson, age 93 of Bismarck, formerly of rural Washburn, ND, died Friday, July 10 at the Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center in Bismarck.

Funeral Services: 10:30 AM Wednesday, July 15, 2009;
Birka Lutheran Church - rural Washburn;
Rev. Joel Sherer, Officiating.

Interment: Birka Lutheran Cemetery

Visitation: 4:00 – 8:00 PM Tuesday with a family service at 8:00 PM at Goetz Funeral Home in Washburn. Visitation will continue Wednesday, one hour prior to funeral service at the church.

Clarence was born March 15, 1916 in Bismarck, ND, the son of Arthur & Anna (Carlson) Swanson. His parents died when he was very young, and he and his brother and sister were raised separately by different family members. When Clarence became a young adult he moved back to his parents farm, west of Washburn, and began his lifelong farming career. He married Ethel Reitman on June 7, 1942 at Bethel Lutheran Church, rural Coleharbor, ND, the first wedding ceremony to take place in the church (now located at Buckstop Junction in Bismarck). Clarence was very active in his home church of Birka Lutheran. He served on many township boards, including the Weller rural school, Falkirk Elevator, and the local Farm Bureau. Clarence and Ethel loved to travel and made their winter home in Texas for many years before Ethel's passing on June 17, 1998. Clarence then moved to Bismarck where he lived at Valley View Assisted Living until becoming a resident of Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center. While a resident, he was loved, respected, and gently cared for by the staff for nearly two years. Clarence cherished spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by two daughters, Barbara Hoffer of Bismarck, & Eileen (Merle) Zander of Minot; three grandchildren, Michael (Aimee) Hoffer of Atlanta, GA, Troy (Linn) Zander of Bismarck, & Jill (Luke) Schwan of Bismarck; six great-grandchildren, Jude & August Hoffer, Jericah, Blaike, & Beau Zander, & Kooper Schwan; one brother, George Swanson of Bismarck; & one brother-in-law, Emeroy Swanson of Bismarck.

He was preceded in death by his wife (Ethel), one sister (Agnes), and an infant granddaughter (baby girl Zander).

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Birka Cemetery Association (1117 Kelly Dr., Washburn, ND 58577), where they will be directed to the new cemetery memorial sign.