Alan Peter Swenson, age 80, of Osceola, WI passed away Friday, June 16, 2023, at the Eagle Ridge Assisted Living in Osceola.

Alan was born May 30, 1943, at home on the Swenson farm in Alden Township, WI to Elmer and Louise Swenson.

Alan was a lifelong member of West Immanuel, being baptized and confirmed there. He attended Pine Lake grade school and Osceola High School, graduating in 1961. After graduation, he enlisted in the USAF. The majority of his time in the Air Force was spent in Ogden, Utah, where he was trained to be an aircraft mechanic. Following discharge from the Air Force in 1965, he returned home to Osceola. There, he was hired by Champion Aircraft (later Bellanca Aircraft) and learned the craft of fiberglass mold making. Due to Bellanca relocating, he was hired by Forester Boats in Wyoming, Minnesota. They made fiberglass boats and pontoons, and Alan was the mold maker. When Forester Boats closed in 1991, Alan was hired by Bayport Marina in Bayport, Minnesota, where he remained until he retired in 2005.

Alan married his wife, Nancy Johnson, in 1969 in Hines, Minnesota. To this union, two children were born: Jeffrey and Julie.

Alan was a self-taught craftsman. Among his many achievements were building a Pietenpol airplane, which he also flew. In addition to his fascination with airplanes, Alan also built the following items: cedar strip canoe; 14’ fiberglass boat; China cabinets; gun cabinet; work bench; bookshelves; music stand; lawn building; garage; desk; deacon’s bench, cedar chest (from cedar from the Swenson farm); jewelry cabinet; candle tables; violins; dulcimer; and psalmodikons.

He was also a handyman, who fixed everything that needed fixing in the Swenson home.

Sadly, Alan has suffered since 2012 from the vile disease of Parkinson’s. He never complained, but he struggled mightily. He had a lifelong love of Harley Davidson motorcycles, and it saddened him deeply when he was no longer able to ride.

Alan is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy; daughter, Julie (Mark) Olson; grandsons, Spencer and Ethan Olson; sisters, Carole Plumb and Corinne Rogers; brother, Brian Swenson; sister-in-law, Christine Olson; foster sister-in-law, Pam Burns; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Louise Swenson; son, Jeff (Lori) Swenson; and mother and father-in-law, Bill and Evelyn Johnson.

Last Update: Jun 18, 2023 1:41 pm CDT