Robert John Swenson

The world lost a force of nature when Robert "Bob" John Swenson left this life on July 1, 2025. He faced his final months with grace and grit and is now pain free (though likely still a little gruff).

He was born June 6, 1945 in Slayton, Minnesota, the fourth of seven children to Harold "Swede" and Cathryn (Onken) Swenson. He grew up on Court Street in Slayton and attended Slayton High School. After high school, he worked for a time at John Deere before beginning the first part of his career in construction: first at Rupp Construction for his dad, where Bob humorously recalled the story of how he got moved to the bulldozer in the gravel pit after tipping over a gravel truck. He worked for various construction companies over the next several years.

He met Pat Biegler at a local dance hall. The story goes, he walked up to her and asked her to marry him and she said "you're nuts!" But stubborn Bob persisted, and they did indeed marry on February 4, 1967. They had one child, Bobbi Jo, born in 1971. They lived much of their life in Fulda, Minnesota until they moved to an acreage a couple miles from Bobbi Jo and her husband Larry, a location everyone came to know as "base camp". Bob spent most of his married life as an over-the-road trucker, a career he took great pride in. In his final hours, he fondly recalled getting to tag along with his youngest grandson Thad on a semi haul to Illinois in 2022.

In his younger days, Bob enjoyed stock car racing in Slayton and Worthington. In his later years, he shared this passion with his oldest grandson Trevor and would talk cars and race strategies at any chance. He never met a stranger at the bar. A good drink and a better conversation were two of his favorite things.

Bob's proudest accomplishment was his grandchildren. A hardheaded but loyal man, he had an especially close relationship with Trevor, and found a way to forge bonds the rest of the kids cherish as well. He had 5 grandchildren and plenty more who called him "Grandpa Bob" along the way. Throughout the last several years, he would often show up unannounced at Bobbi Jo and Larry's during one of his drives along the countryside, where there was almost always a great-grandchild waiting to play with him. He was surrounded by all of these grandchildren his final night on earth. He passed away on July 1, 2025 at Edgebrook Care Center at 80 years old.

Bob is survived by his daughter Bobbi Jo and her husband Larry Gunnink, grandsons Trevor (Madi), Codi "Cheeks" (Alyson), Wade (Nichole), and Thad (Mallary), granddaughter Tanner (Ja'Wuan), 13 great-grandchildren: Colton, Easton, Oaklynn, Haidynn, Mykah, Raya, Harper, Carter, Gianna, Hennesy, Wrenley, Bennett, and Aaliyah. He leaves behind his siblings: Dick (Barb), Harold Allen (Deanne), Kay Kreun, Danny (Chhaya), Tommy, and Peggy (Keith) Landhuis, and brother-in-law Bobby (Trudy) Biegler. He will also be missed by many extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Pat on September 25, 2011, parents Swede and Cathryn, parents-in-law Louis and Dorie, infant brother Eugene, sisters-in-law Viola Swenson, Marsha Swenson, and Linda Landgren, and brother-in-law Don Kreun.

A Celebration of Life will be Thursday, July 10, 2025 at Fulda American Legion at 10:30 am with Mark Carlson officiating. Pallbearers will be Bob's grandchildren and their spouses. Honorary pallbearers are Willie, Justin and Spencer Grimmius, Pat Sweetman, and Richard Chapman.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at Fulda American Legion from 4:00-7:00 pm. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service on Thursday.