J. Edward Swanson, 85, Elsmore, died Wednesday, December 24, 2008, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kansas City.

He was born April 16, 1923, at Elsmore to Harold and Elida Lindstrom Swanson. He attended Elsmore schools, graduating from Elsmore High school in 1941.

On June 26, 1945, he married Eleanor “Rusty” Butts at Elsmore. This union was blessed with three sons. His wife preceded him in death on March 22, 2005.

He was a farmer and rancher.

He was a member of the Friends Home Lutheran Church, and the Elsmore Ruritan. He also served on the church and school boards. He enjoyed fishing and playing golf, as well as drawing pictures for his grandchildren.

Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry and Brenda Swanson, Elsmore, Brad and Anne Swanson, Winfield, and Keith and Rosemary Swanson, Olathe; a brother, Dean Swanson, Yates Center; a sister, Mary Lou O’Brien, St. Paul; nine grandchildren and their spouses, Kim and Eric Church, Stillwater, Okla., Stacey and Todd Lhuillier, Elsmore, Douglas Swanson, Shayla Swanson, and Amanda and Paul Maples, all of Winfield, Carie Bartel, Andover, and Zachary, Matthew and Caleb Swanson, all of Olathe; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by an infant brother.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. Monday at Friends Home Lutheran Church, Savonburg.  Burial will follow in the Swedish Cemetery under the direction of Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, Moran.

The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to the Friends Home Lutheran Church in care of the funeral home.