Dennis Lee Swanson

Born November 6, 1937.  Welcomed home by his Savior on November 15, 2023.

Dennis was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a gift from the Lord to his parents, George and Esther Swanson.  His friends often addressed him as "Denny", which fit the warmth and welcome of his true personality.

Dennis lived his earliest years in Minnesota before his family made their way west, where he spent the rest of his youth growing up in the Seattle area. He remembered having many different friends and playmates, creating memories together and a fair share of childhood mischief, too.  As a young person, Dennis lived in many different homes and said he enjoyed every one, calling each a new adventure.  Some of them his parents subsequently renovated as part of his dad's business in real estate. His father George also worked in insurance and tax accounting after an earlier period working in the shipyards during the war.  His mother Esther, who had been a schoolteacher prior to marrying George, dedicated herself to family, becoming an excellent homemaker and caring for Dennis and his younger sister Sandra, eventually returning to work outside the home.  Along with schooling and much recreating in the great outdoors together – especially skiing and camping, Dennis routinely attended church with his family as well.  He particularly remembered his fourth grade Sunday school teacher, Mr. Spangler, who was an inspiration for scripture memory as well as adventurous class outings to interesting places.  Dad shared that it was during his fifth-grade year one day while alone in his room listening to a radio program, that he felt convicted of his need for Christ and asked Jesus into his heart.  Reading the bible and attending high school and college church groups were instrumental in developing and growing his faith.  Dennis was especially impacted by his group leader, Bjarne Andvik, who helped him through times of doubt in his Christian walk.  He became a lifelong mentor and a dear friend, even sharing their mutual love for skiing when possible.

The person who would forever capture his heart during these formative years was his eventual bride-to-be, then Carolyn Peterson.  Mom and Dad met and began to date while attending Ballard High School, which also led to participating in their church youth group together.  They continued dating through college while Dennis navigated his career aspirations and eventually his military obligation as well.  During the summers he worked various jobs, recalling that it was enough to cover the cost of his annual tuition – only $500.  Dennis first studied fisheries at the University of Washington, before changing to Forestry with a major in Logging Engineering.  This would ultimately lead him to a long-time career with Washington State Parks.  Carolyn studied nursing at then Seattle Pacific College and began work in the Mental Health field soon thereafter.  Given the Lord's timing, and His help, Mom championed waiting for 7 ½ years with as much patience as she could muster to officially become Dennis's wife for 62 more. They happily married on April 28, 1961.

Eleven months after they were married, Mom and Dad realized another instance of God's perfect timing with the arrival of their first child, Eric.  Two years later he would be followed by another son Evan, and hardly a year thereafter by twin daughters, Jenny and Julie.  Over the next several years, Dennis raised his family much like he had been raised, sharing the same traditions, activities, and interests, and especially his faith in God.  No greater way was this imparted than by Dad's example of doing and living what he believed.  His choice to be baptized as an adult by Pastor Dwight Nelson was one such example - a sign of his obedience and a powerful witness of his faith to others, especially his family.  Filling the house with gospel music on Sunday mornings to strategically wake his teenaged kids for church, was another undeniable proclamation of faith.

Dennis served in many roles and on multiple committees at what would become his church home and family, Bethany Covenant Church, Mount Vernon.  His childhood thoughts of someday becoming a missionary were realized through teaching Sunday School for nearly 50 years, many of them to third and fourth graders.  He also helped lead or became involved in church family retreats and youth camps, most notably Circle C Ranch near Leavenworth, WA and summer bible school on the Colville Indian Reservation in Keller, WA.  In 1986 Dennis traveled with his wife to the Baja Mexico town of Vicente Guerrero where they became involved in short-term mission work for an organization called Foundation for His Ministry, caring for orphaned Oaxacan children, their host families and the ministry staff, as well as participating in outreach events to the surrounding rural community.  This experience would inspire Dennis and Carolyn to help establish and continue leading future annual mission groups from Bethany Covenant for many more years to come.  God also gave Dennis a burden for his Baker Heights neighborhood, who he faithfully prayed for over the 58 years he lived there in the hope of seeing these dear friends and families come to know Jesus and receive his gift of salvation.  This burden would carry over to a small and simple retirement community in Yuma, AZ as well, where he and Carolyn later spent their winter months, cultivating friendships and inviting their neighbors to "church in the clubhouse".  Taking others with him continued to remain a passion for Dad until his death, sharing the gospel with many of his hospice team and others involved in his care.

Some of the most important lessons Dad recalled learning in his life of 86 years were that nothing is permanent here on earth (jobs, pensions, health, homes) …it is all temporary.  He knew he could trust the Lord with all his heart (Prov. 3:5-6) and that God would be his firm foundation, the rock where he could place his feet to stand (Psalm 18:2).  He knew he would never be forsaken (Deut. 31:6) and he knew he could lay his requests before the Lord and count on an answer (Psalm 5:3).  Dad left this earth knowing and sharing the most important question a person could ever consider, "What are you going to do with Jesus?"

Dennis is survived by his beautiful wife Carolyn Swanson and his four adult children Eric Swanson (Leah) and their son Eli (Nikki) and daughters Rachel and Kaura (Shawn); Evan Swanson (Vicki) and their daughters Anna (Bret) and Mariah (Justin); Jenny Rose (Randy) and their daughters Ashley and McKendra and sons Trevor and Trey; Julie Henry (Tom) and their son Erann and daughter Amber with Tom's children Keone (Barb), Lani (Scot) and Tina (Jorge); as well as 6 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sister Sandra Johnson (Jerry) and their daughter Heather Severson (Pat) and son Blake Johnson (Jen) and their families, as well as maternal nephews Andy Peterson (Joie) and Chris Peterson and their families.  Dennis is preceded in death by his parents George and Esther Swanson, his mother- and father-in-law Rudy and Alice Peterson, his sister- and brother-in-law Gary and Gay Peterson, as well as his grandparents and many beloved uncles, aunts and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held December 2nd, 2023 at two o'clock at Bethany Covenant Church, 1318 South 18th St, Mount Vernon, WA.   In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations in Dennis's memory be made to Bethany Covenant Church in support of missions.

Please visit www.hawthornefh.com to share your thoughts and memories and sign the online guest register.

Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA.