EDWARD SWANK obituary

CHESTER - Edward George "Eddie" Swank, 73, died Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2004, at Liberty County Hospital in Chester.

Ed requested no services, but a reception and gathering of friends will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Roadhouse in Chester.

Ed was born on Sept. 5, 1930, on the fami-

ly farm at Chester to Charles and Rosa (Wyman) Swank. The family farmed and operated a dairy business, so Ed stayed busy in his teens, either milking cows or delivering milk throughout the community. He received his formal education in Chester, then began working for the Great Northern Railway.

In 1952, Ed enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps to serve during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1954 after two years of active duty and returned to the family farm in Chester.

Ed married Patricia A. Berkholtz on Feb. 28, 1959, at Havre. They made their home in Chester and Ed continued to farm and ranch until his retirement in 2000. Ed suffered from chronic lung disease in recent years and was diagnosed with cancer in February.

Ed had been a longtime member of the United Methodist Church in Chester. He served on the church council and was active in the building of the existing church. In later years, he attended the Chester Assembly of God Church. He was a member of the Shelby Elks Lodge.

In his younger years, Ed enjoyed boating and skiing. He and Pat enjoyed camping, dancing, gardening, bowling, playing darts and traveling. In the 1970s, they made several trips to Hawaii, where he framed houses and helped a friend with carpenter work. Ed also enjoyed playing cards and his favorite games were pitch, poker, pinochle and cribbage. In recent winters, he enjoyed rug hooking and building picture puzzles. He also enjoyed watching movies and golf on television.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Leon, DeVoe, Donald "Casey," Russell, Irvin, Emanuel "Tuffy," Charles "Bud" and John; sisters, Mildred, Maude, Ruth, Edith, Lorene and Grace.

Survivors include his wife, Pat of Chester; daughter, Sherill ("Fuzzy") Powell-Balsley of Anchorage, Alaska; son, Scott (Cheri) Swank of Chester; six grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ed bequeathed his body to the University of North Dakota School of Medicine in Grand Forks.

Memorials may be made to the Gift of Life in Great Falls or the Hi-Line Health Foundation in Chester.

Local arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel, Chester.