Cliff Swanson, 70, died Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at his residence.

Funeral service will be 11 AM, Monday, July 2, 2007 at Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Gary Johnson officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be 4 - 7 PM, Sunday, July 1, 2007 at Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with a 7 PM prayer service and for one hour prior to service, Monday.

Clifford Thomas Swanson was born June 16, 1937 at Thief River Falls, the son of George and Katherine (Anton) Swanson. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith at Calvary Lutheran Church, St. Hilaire, MN. He attended rural school, St. Hilaire Elementary and in 1955, graduated from Lincoln High School, Thief River Falls. Following high school, Cliff worked at Sjulson Hatchery, St. Hilaire. He served in the Minnesota National Guard for several years starting in 1954.

On October 17, 1959, Cliff was united in marriage to Shirley Jean Arveson at Nazareth Lutheran Church, Trail, MN. They made their home in Thief River Falls, where they have since resided. In 1959, Cliff started working at Bridgeman Creameries, later worked at JC Penny's Auto Center and for many years at Sears all in Thief River Falls. In 1984, Cliff and Shirley bought Purdy's Shoes in Thief River Falls, which they still own and operate.

Cliff was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, the Elks, Eagles, Thief River Golf Club and Ducks Unlimited. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, hunting, bowling, snowmobiling, spending time at the lake with family and grandchildren, wood-working and, best of all, any use for a chain saw and duct tape. Cliff enjoyed traveling with his family and was an explorer and adventurer traveling on road or off.

He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Shirley, Thief River Falls; 3 children, daughters, Jan Swanson, Minneapolis, MN and Lori Grandalen, West Fargo, ND and son, Trevor (Monica) Swanson, Thief River Falls, MN; 6 grandchildren, Luke Rygg, Derrick Rygg, Lexie Grandalen, Hannah Swanson, Holly Grandalen and Connor Swanson; 3 brothers, Lenord (Dorothy) Swanson, Oliver "Skip" (Patty) Swanson and Leslie (Bernie) Swanson all of Thief River Falls, MN; 2 sisters, Lylian "Mickey" Richards and Sharon (Neil) Bugge all of Thief River Falls, MN; sisters-in-law, Janet Swanson, Thief River Falls, MN and Cerise Swanson Luhning, Ottertail, MN and brother-in-law, Loren (Barb) Arveson, Warroad, MN; numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, Chester, Donald and Dennis; a sister, Eleanor; a nephew, Kevin Swanson; father and mother-in-law, Verner and Mildred Arveson.

ORGANIST: Ida Nordvall
SOLOIST: Diane Johnson
SELECTIONS: Borning Cry and On Eagles Wings
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Children of the Heavenly Father and This is My Fathers World
CASKETBEARERS: Luke Rygg, Derrick Rygg, Keith Olson, Dano Rozowski, Greg Smidt, Cory Gustafson, Darren Bakke and Jeremy Jagol
HONORAY CASKETBEARERS: Cliffs nieces and nephews