Earl Swenson, 87, of Tioga, ND passed away on Friday, April 7, 2017, surrounded by his family at his home in Tioga.

Earl was born on October 7, 1929 to his parents Oscar and Cecilia (Forsberg) Swenson on their homestead in Sauk Valley Township in Williams County. He was educated in McGregor, and attended NDSU in Fargo until he joined his father at the family farm. In August, 1951 he joined the United States Marines and served with the First Marine Air Wing, training in communications. In December, 1951 his squadron was aired to Korea. He began his happy trip back to the United States on Valentine’s Day, 1953. Earl finished his tour of duty as a recruit rifle coach at the Marine base in California, until his Honorable Discharged.

On October 11, 1953 he married the love of his life Alice Vicha and settled on the family farm. In 1957 he also began selling American Family Insurance serving the McGregor and Tioga areas for 42 years. One of his most prestigious achievements was in 1963 when he received the soil conservation award from Williams County. While living on the family farm Earl served the community as a Sunday School teacher, treasurer for the local elevator board, and was a member of the McGregor school board.

In 1968, the insurance business grew and the family moved to Tioga. Earl continued to work the farm alongside being a member of numerous Boards and Associations. He was a long term member of the school board, including serving as board president; member of First Lutheran Church in Tioga; Tioga Chamber of Commerce; American Legion Post 139, 40 & 8, VFW, a life member of the Disabled Veterans; he served as the secretary/treasurer of the Fire Department for 14 years, and was a life member of North Dakota Fireman Association.

Earl was an avid sports fan. He loved to watch his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren play any sport they were involved with, travelling all over North Dakota and Wisconsin to support them.
He has passed on to all of his family the importance of unconditional love for your family, God and your country, as these were his values that he cherished.

Earl is preceded in death by his parents Oscar and Cecilia (Forsberg) Swenson; sisters Irene Johnson and Clarice Titterud; and brother Frank Swenson.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years Alice (Vicha); his treasured daughters Jaclyn (Daryl) Wallin, of Tioga, ND, Joni (Robert) Syverson of Waunakee, WI, and Joy (Randy) Lalim of Tioga, ND. Nine precious grandchildren, Desi Hodges, of Tioga, Danett (Jason) Rice,of Tioga, Jeremy (Tara) Wallin, of Tioga, Matt (Candyce) Wallin, of Bozeman, Mt, Ryan (Tara) Syverson, of Ankeny, IA, Lyndsay (Jon) Wild, of DeForest, WI, Erin (Mike) Einarson, , Jace (Kayla) Lalim, and Tyler (Meghan) Lalim, all of White Earth; and 20 adorable great grandchildren.

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