Gordon A Swenson

October 15, 2020. Gordon was born on September 11, 1933 to Alfred and Mary Swenson

at the family home in the Leaf Valley Township near Garfield Minnesota. Gordon grew up on a

dairy farm where he learned many skills that he carried with him throughout his life. Gordon

attended a small rural school with about 20 other students. He graduated from 8th grade in 1947

from Pleasant Grove School. He went on to attend high school in Alexandria, MN. Following

graduation from high school, Gordon attended Concordia College in Seward, NE where he

earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History in 1955. He taught school in a one-room school house in

Nebraska but soon returned to teach at a parochial school near his childhood home. Gordon

decided to pursue a new path and attended the University of Minnesota to study Mathematics.

His time there was short, however, due to the tragic passing of his younger brother, Gerald in

1960. Gordon returned to the family farm to care for his mother who suffered from crippling

Rheumatoid Arthritis. After her death in 1967 Gordon moved to Kansas City to work for the

Social Security Administration. This is where he met his future wife, Jane Branscomb, at a

YMCA dance in Independence, MO. Gordon was unfamiliar with the road, as he was new to the

area, and was unsure of how to get back to Kansas City. He asked Jane if he could follow her

back to streets he recognized. That was the beginning of a beautiful relationship leading to 51

years of happy marriage. Gordon and Jane raised two children, Phillip and Cindy, in a happy

home. They eventually became grandparents to Hayden, Jack, Lily, Wil and Eli.

Gordon and Jane were active members in the Lutheran church throughout their marriage.

Gordon taught several Sunday School classes at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Gloria Dei

Lutheran Church. He also served his church family as head usher for a number of years.

Gordon was a dedicated husband to Jane. He supported her through the years in her volunteer

work at Children’s Memorial Lutheran Church. After Jane was no longer able to drive, he

faithfully transported her to Children’s Memorial so she was able to perform her work of loving

service to people in need. Gordon touched the lives of many of the people who came to

Children’s Memorial for assistance.

Gordon had a quiet way but his love of people and dedication to God was clear to anyone who

interacted with him. He was a faithful husband and a dedicated father. His passing will leave a

void in the lives and hearts of his family. They are comforted by the thought that he is now in the

arms of God and will be waiting to welcome them into the kingdom of heaven.

He was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Mary and his brothers Donald and Gerald.

He is survived by his wife Jane, son Phil Swenson (Liz), daughter Cindy Lucas (Lance), and

grandchildren Hayden, Jack, Lily, Wil, and Eli.