Arne A. Swanson

Arne A. Swanson, age 89 of Aitkin died Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at his home.

Arne was born July 27, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois the son of John A. and Myrtle H. (Anderson) Swanson. He grew up and attended schools on the south side of Chicago.  He delivered papers and one of his customers was Al Capone. In high school he played football and wrestled. He had a try out with the Chicago Bears when he finished high school. He also loved souping up cars and he had a 1940 mercury that he enjoyed. He also raced Stock Cars at Soldier field in his younger days. He had worked at the Ford Co. in Chicago doing repair work. Arne was a veteran of the United States Army who served in the Korean War from 1952 to 1953 where he earned two Purple Hearts. Upon his discharge he worked at American Airlines at O’Hare Airport. He had serviced the plane which John F. Kennedy was using during his presidential campaign. He also had acquired one of Kennedy’s written speeches that he had used on his campaign. He also started working for the U.S. Post Office and Bell Telephone while in Chicago. He moved to Minneapolis and worked a time for the Horner Box Company. He moved to Aitkin in 1969 and started working at the Post Office part time and also for the Aitkin County Land Department. He also worked for Lampert Lumber (now Hometown Lumber) in Aitkin and also at the Freedom Gas Station in Aitkin where he met his wife. He married Marta Rono on August 20, 1983. Arne began working full time for the United States Postal Service until he retired from federal employment in 1993.  Arne also worked as a part time School Bus Driver. He was a member of the Aitkin American Legion, Aitkin VFW, Aitkin DAV and was a past commander of the Aitkin DAV as well as a member of Aitkin VFW and Aitkin Legion Honor Guard.  He enjoyed bowling, golfing, hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.

Arne is survived by his wife Marta Swanson of Aitkin; Children: Rick and Anne Swanson of Lafayette, La., Susan Swanson of Lafayette, La., Amanda and Dustin Voller of Aitkin, John Swanson and Miranda King of Aitkin, Grandchildren: Bree and Hunter Voller; Sister: Betty Lou Meents of Waseca, Ill., Brothers-in-law: Donald Suhr of Highland, Ind., Russell Rono and Robert Rono both of Crosby, Randy (Bobbye) Rono of Pine River and Sister-in-law: Pam (David) Straka of Brainerd. He was preceded in death by his parents, and 1 sister: Bette Margaret Suhr.

A memorial service will be held 11am - Saturday, May 22, 2021 at St. John's Lutheran Church Cedarbrook.  Burial will be at Kimberly Cemetery.  Visitation will be 5 to 7pm Friday, May 21, 2021 at Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin and will continue 1 hour prior to the service at the church.  Military honors will be accorded by  Aitkin American Legion Lee Post #86 and Aitkin VFW Roberts-Glad Post #1727.  Arrangements are with the Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Aitkin.

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