Paul Swanson

Paul Swanson, 91, of Northwood, ND passed away Monday, February 17, 2020 at Northwood Deaconess Health Center in Northwood. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 21, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Washington Lutheran Church, rural Northwood. A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the church.

Paul was born on January 1, 1929 in Northwood, son of Oscar and Marie (Watterud) Swanson. He was raised on the family farm across the road from his maternal grandparents’ farmstead. When he was very young, Paul was known to ride his tricycle down two long driveways to visit his grandma and grandpa without permission from his mother. He attended country school and began working on the family farm as a young man.

Paul’s lack of formal education didn’t stop him from becoming an excellent mechanic and skilled metal working craftsman with a lathe. He could fix, rebuild, overhaul, and refurbish anything. After purchasing and repairing an old corn chopper, which was deteriorating in a neighbor’s tree shelter, Paul custom chopped silage for several neighbors in the 1960’s. He also played banjo and guitar back in the 60’s with a local group that performed in the area. Paul was an avid reader throughout his life; he chose a wide variety of topics from history and novels to current events. He enjoyed visits to Sheboygan, WI to visit his brother Richard and family, which included memorable fishing excursions on Lake Michigan. An interest in antiques drew Paul to the Northwood Antique Museum as a volunteer.

Paul told the story of how he met his wife: Although they were casual acquaintances in childhood years, Paul remained in Northwood and Crystal moved out of state for employment. While Crystal was visiting her parents in Northwood, Paul and Crystal had a chance meeting at a neighborhood birthday party. It didn’t take long for this 52 year old bachelor to ask young Crystal for a date. Paul married Crystal Hart on July 7, 1982, at Washington Lutheran Church, rural Northwood.

Paul was a man of faith and routinely attended Bible Studies at Northwood Deaconess Health Center. One of his last requests was to visit his home church in the country, Washington Lutheran. Paul was a good friend and neighbor to many people.

He is survived by his brother Richard (Caroline) Swanson, Sheboygan, WI; nephew David Swanson, Coal Valley, IL; niece Sandra (John) Madson, Sheboygan, WI; great nieces: Diana Rouse, Tina (Rob) Lacy, and Andrea Madson; great-great nephew, Trevor Rouse; great-great nieces, Kristen Rouse and Magan Lacy.

Preceding him in death was his wife Crystal, father Oscar, mother Marie, and niece Carol Kasper.