E. BURNELL SWANSON, 79

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Former Blair resident E. Burnell Swanson, 79 of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, died Monday, April 13, 2009, at St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Services were Thursday, April 16, at Morningside Lutheran Church in Sioux City, Iowa. A private interment at the Lyons Cemetery is planned at a later date.

E. Burnell Swanson was born Jan. 20, 1930 in West Point to Edward and Violet (Renander) Swanson. He was raised on a farm near Lyons and graduated from Lyons High School in 1947. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in 1950 and a master of science degree in 1956.

On Dec. 9, 1950, he married Barbara Wallerstedt of Oakland. The couple first made their home in Blair, where Mr. Swanson taught vocational agriculture at Blair High School for five years. In 1956, he joined the Ralston Purina Company as district sales manager. The Swansons then moved to Sioux City, Iowa, where they lived until 1990, when they moved to Sergeant Bluff.

After retiring from a 30-year career with Ralston Purina, he started an agriculture-related business located in both Sioux Falls, S.D. and Norfolk. In later years, he sold cars and most recently, delivered cars for many area dealers.

He was a member of Morningside Lutheran Church. While serving as a council member, he acted as the vice president from 2003-2004, and president twice (1970 and 2005-2007). He was a member of the Lutheran Church in Mission for Christ men’s group, Abubekr Shrine, Alpha Zeta, Pheasants Forever and was a UNL alumni association lifetime member. He also served as member and past president of the Sunrise Retirement Community board of directors. He enjoyed pheasant hunting, sporting clays, and gardening.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter and son-in-law, Sheila and John McIntyre of Centennial, Colo.; sister, Marilyn Bliss of Montgomery, Ala.; nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Claudia Ann.

Memorials are suggested to the Morningside Lutheran Church.

# 2 - - Omaha World-Herald, April 15, 2009

SWANSON, E. BURNELL, Jan. 20, 1930 – Apr. 13, 2009, Sergeant Bluff, IA SERVICES Thursday, Morningside Lutheran Church, 700 S Martha St., Sioux City, IA. VISITATION with the family Wednesday 6 – 8 pm with a Prayer Service at 7 pm at Christy-Smith Funeral Home, 1801 Morningside Ave, Sioux City, IA.

Visit www.christysmithy.com to leave an online condolence

CHRISTY-SMITH FUNERAL HOMES, Sioux City, IA 712-276-7319