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Swanson -- Arnold was born August 2, 1928 in rural Morrison County near Swanville, Minnesota to Henry and Ellen Marie (Palm) Swanson. His parents were farmers. Arnold was the ninth child of a family of ten children, having six sisters and three brothers. He attended elementary school in a one-room school (dist 79) and then on to high school in Swanville. His father died when he was 16 so he quit school to run the farm. In 1951 the farm was sold and he moved to Minneapolis where he worked for Honeywell Corp. He married LaVonne Pressler that year. In 1952 he joined the Air Force and was stationed at Wheelus A.F.B. at Libya, Africa where he worked as an airplane mechanic. He served four years active and four years inactive (reserves). He also got his G.E.D. while in the Air Force. After serving in Africa he was stationed at Kirtland A.F. Base and remained in New Mexico the rest of his life. He had a real love for New Mexico. As a civilian he worked for the company E.G. & G and retired in 1987. Two children were born to Arnold and LaVonne, Larry and Carolyn. He has been married to his present wife, Joyce, for 30 years. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church. Arnold was a dear loving father and brother and we all loved him very much. He had a keen sense of humor, loved fishing and gardening and working with his flowers. After he and Joyce retired they traveled extensively, taking both long and short trips. His favorite trip was to Europe, seeing and doing much. He never lost track of his Minnesota farm roots. Arnold died March 2, 2003 of lung cancer. Preceding him in death were his son, Larry; parents; brothers, George, Verner, Edwin; and sisters, Minnie Strandberg, Ebba Barrett and Sigrid Kelly. Survivors are wife, Joyce; daughter, Carolyn Weisleder and her husband, Edward; and grandsons, Brian and James; and sisters, Clara Stark, Alice Bloomquist and Loretta Bangert. Private Graveside Services were held Thursday, March 6, 2003 in Fairview Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Lovelace Hospice 5403 Gibson Blvd SE, Siesta Hills Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108 or to the First Presbyterian Church 215 Locust NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Arrangements under the direction of: Strong-Thorne Mortuary 1100 Coal Ave. SE 842-8800
        Published on: Thu March 06, 2003