William “Bill” R. Swanson

William “Bill” R. Swanson, age 76, of Arapahoe, Nebraska, passed away on Monday, September 1, 2014, in his home at Arapahoe. He was born on December 21, 1937, in Sioux City, Iowa. He was raised in St. Edward, Nebraska, by his loving parents, Floyd and Pearl (Potter) Swanson. Bill graduated from St. Edward High School in 1955 and entered the Air Force on January 24, 1956. He was honorably discharged on September 1, 1959. On June 30, 1962 he was united in marriage to Elaine Wieser at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus, Nebraska. Bill spent most of his working years in sales positions in various industries. In 1977, he moved with his family to Arapahoe, Nebraska where he resided until his death. Bill was involved in many community and Church organizations. He was instrumental in the establishment of community playhouses in Columbus and Kearney. He was also very active in the Cursillo movement and his local parish, serving as an acolyte, lector, parish council member, and CCD teacher. Bill was also proud of his affiliation and membership in the Knights of Columbus, serving in various leadership positions at both the council and 4th degree assembly levels. He was very pro-life and especially proud of his role in bringing the Rachel statue to Our Lady of Fatima Shrine at St. Germanus Catholic Church. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and four stillborn grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Elaine of Arapahoe, NE and seven children and their spouses: Paula & husband, Rick Lau of Tulsa, Oklahoma Brenda & husband, Jack Walsh of Spirit Lake, Iowa Angela & husband, Kevin Nurre of Great Falls, Montana Elizabeth & husband, Jon Best of Katy, Texas Tony & wife, Cathy Swanson of Hastings, Nebraska Nathan & wife, Cortney Swanson of Arapahoe, Nebraska Katie & husband, Greg Baran of Woodbine, Maryland Sister and Brother-in-law, Dixie and Howard Lederer of Norfolk, Nebraska 20 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews Condolences or personal reflections may be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com. Viewing and visitation will be Sunday, September 7, 2014, from 1 pm to 5 pm at Wenburg Funeral Home in Arapahoe, Nebraska and prior to the service at the Church. A Rosary service will be held Sunday at 7 pm at St. Germanus Catholic Church in Arapahoe, Nebraska. A funeral Mass will be offered on Monday, September 8, 2014, at 10:00 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cambridge, Nebraska with Fr. Mark Pfeiffer officiating. Burial will be at Arapahoe Cemetery, Arapahoe, Nebraska. Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that friends make a donation to St. Germanus Catholic Church in memory of Bill.