Carl E. Swanson passed away on Nov. 24, 2020. He was born on Aug. 26, 1934 in Elmhurst, Illinois to Walter and Gwendolyn (Matthews) Swanson.
He and his sister, Paula (Platt), were raised on their parents' chicken and mushroom farm in Elmhurst. Carl grew up assisting his father with farm chores and the management of Swanson's Feed & Hardware Store.
After attending a one-room schoolhouse for eight years, Carl graduated from York Community High School in 1952. He attended the University of Illinois, earning a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 1956.
He then joined the United States Army and served as a radio operator before being honorably discharged two years later.
Carl met and married Valerie Wooten in 1956, settling in Wheaton, Illinois where they raised their five sons. Carl enjoyed numerous activities with his boys which included playing softball and basketball, coaching their Little League baseball teams and taking the family on annual trips to Mountain Home, Arkansas to visit his retired parents.
Carl retired from GMAC as a finance manager in 1992 after more than three decades of dedicated service. He then relocated with his second wife, Virginia (Roberts) to Marion, Illinois, where he acquired 26 acres of land in nearby Johnston County to raise Limousin cattle and a few barnyard cats.
Carl was also an accomplished musician who entertained family and friends over the years with his talents in banjo picking, fiddle, acoustic guitar and piano. Carl loved bluegrass music and attended numerous festivals over the years. He enjoyed his retirement years by working on his farm and tending to his lawn and garden.
Carl is predeceased by his parents, sister, and one son, Jeffrey M. Swanson.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Swanson, of Marion; sons Randall D. (Martha) Swanson of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Andrew M. Swanson of Los Angeles, California, Wesley A. (Alicia) Swanson of Algonquin, Illinois and Daniel P. (Ellen) Swanson of Fairhope, Alabama.
In addition, Carl is survived by eight grandchildren, Jillian, Steven, Matthew, Rory, Lily, Henry, Kelly and Adam; as well as five great-grandchildren, Tyler, Hayley, Colette, Colin and Logan.
Memorial services will be private.
