Obituary for
Frank James Swanson
Frank went to meet his Lord and see his Sweet Lorraine on Sunday, August 7, following a slow decline from kidney failure. Frank and his late wife, Lorraine met in North Dakota in 1939. After he returned from the service in 1946, he and Lorraine were married here in Lodi where they spent the next 64 years together until her death in 2011. Frank was born on March 7, 1920, in Nashua, MN, where his father, Frank Alex Swanson, was the station agent for the Soo Line Railway, and his mother, Ida Marie (Rundquist), managed the household. Frank was the couple’s third child, joining older brother, Ellsworth and sister, Lorraine; twins, Gerald and Germaine followed a few years later. Over the years, the family was transferred to a number of Soo Line stations in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, eventually settling in Veblen, SD where all the youngsters graduated from high school. Equally proud of his railroad and Swedish heritage, Frank kept a number of mementos around the house. A mail carrier for many years in Lodi, Frank still recognized folks on his route by their address, if not necessarily by name. He and his wife also owned and operated a business selling Christian books, tapes, and religious jewelry, traveling across the country and nearby cities to record lectures and sermons. Frank was a well-known member of Bethel Open Bible Church in Lodi, which he and his wife attended for many years. Frank was preceded in death by each of his siblings as well as nephew, Tony Swanson. Survivors include nephew, Greg Kristensen; niece, Betty Jo Swanson; niece, Rosalinda Swanson; nephew, Rex Swanson and his wife, Diane; and his brother-in-law, Lloyd Krause. We wish to extend a special note of thanks to his many friends for their support and prayers over the years. A graveside service will be held Friday, August 19, at 10:00 AM at Cherokee Memorial Park, followed by fellowship at Bethel Open Bible Church. In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcome to a local charity of your choice, Frank’s church or Business Men’s Fellowship, 3824 Buell St. Suite A, Oakland CA 94619.
