Romaine L. Swanson, 89, passed away at home in Presbyterian Manor in Salina on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. He was born March 4, 1933, on the family farm East of Mentor to the late August and Bernice (Lindquist) Swanson. He was the third of six sons.
Romaine was baptized and confirmed in the St. Paul Lutheran Church, rural Mentor, and started his education in the one room school called Maple Grove. In fifth grade he started attending Kipp Grade School and graduated in 1951 from Kipp High School. He served two years in the Army.
He married Elsie Olson in 1958 at the Assaria Lutheran Church. Thy made their home on the farm where he grew up. Together they raised three children; Barry, Sharon and Roger.
Romaine was a lifelong farmer and rancher. The farm was more than a job to him, it was everything to him. In his spare time, he served on various committees for the church, school, community, and farm related groups. He loved watching his children and his grandchildren compete in sports, music and 4-H activities. In his later years, he and Elsie traveled by bus sightseeing and gambling, seeing most of the US and some of Canada.
He is survived by his wife, Elsie Swanson, of the home; son, Barry Swanson (Ruth), of Lexington, KY; daughter, Sharon Anderes (Greg), of rural Gypsum; son, Roger Swanson (Thong), of Assaria; ten grandchildren, Stephanie Martin (Zackery), Randolph, MN, Danielle Ast (Adam), Sedgwick, KS, Joe Anderes, Salina, Jessica Goubeaux (Ryan), rural Gypsum, Thomas Anderes (Taylor), Kipp, Bryant Swanson, Phoenix, AZ, Michael Swanson (Sarah), Phoenix, AZ, August Swanson, Lawrence, KS, Mary Grace Swanson, Lawrence, KS, Sophia Swanson, Lawrence, KS; great grandchildren, Evelynne and Ben Martin, Paige and Lucas Gaubeaux, and Ames and Ainsley Ast; three step granddaughters; three step great granddaughters; brothers, Gerald Swanson, Minneapolis, MN, and Melvin Swanson, Wichita, KS; brother-in-law, Merlin Olson (Mary) Olathe, KS; as well as many nieces and nephews, and many friends.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, May 1, with family present from 6-8, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, May 2, at Assaria Lutheran Church, with a luncheon to follow. Burial will be in the Assaria Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Romaine’s family would like to thank everyone for their attendance and kind expressions during this very hard time.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Assaria Lutheran Church, South East of Saline (SES) Education Endowment, or the Presbyterian Manor’s Good Shepard Fund or Employee Christmas Fund, care of Ryan Mortuary.