Submitted by: Dan Rich

Berger H. Swanson

Aug. 17, 1913 -- July 9, 2005

South Bend Tribune 7/14/2005                                       

Berger H. Swanson, 91, of College Street, South Bend, IN, passed away at 12:10 a.m. Saturday, July 9, 2005, in the Buchanan Meadows Living Center, Buchanan, MI. He was born on August 17, 1913, to the late John and Matilda (Anderson) Swanson in Varmland, Sweden, and had lived in South Bend since 1938, coming from Chicago, IL. Along with his parents, two brothers, Bror and Harold Swanson, also preceded him in death. Mr. Swanson retired in 1975 from the Bendix Corporation as an inspector in the Aerospace Division after 43 years.

On July 7, 1945, he married Cecelia A. Smiechowski in St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, South Bend, IN. She survives. Along with his loving wife of 60 years, he is survived by one daughter, Ann Marie (Fred) Dean of Granger, IN; one son, Kenneth J. Swanson of South Bend, IN; and one granddaughter, Emily Dean of Indianapolis, IN.

Visitation was from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, 2005, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. today, July 14, 2005, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, with Pastor Denise M. Grant officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, IN, where military services will be conducted.

Mr. Swanson had been a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church since 1945, and Eagles Lodge #435, both in South Bend, and also belonged to UAW Local #9. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II where he served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, Co. E., 111th Inf. Berger was an avid gardener.

His family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Buchanan Meadows Living Center and Home Instead of Mishawaka, especially to his caregiver, Melody. The family also would like to thank his physician, Ana S. Cardenas, M.D., for her devotion and care. Also a special thanks to the nurses and physicians of Hospice of Niles and Buchanan. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, 506 S. Main St., South Bend, IN 46601; or to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 225 Haney Ave., South Bend, IN 46613.