Obituary - Ronald Evan "R.E." Swenson

Ronald Evan "R.E." Swenson, 92, of Chinook passed away of natural causes Thanksgiving Eve, Nov. 26, 2015, at The Sweet Memorial Nursing Home in Chinoo.

Ronnie was born to Knute and Carman (Taylor) Swenson in Harlem on Oct. 23, 1923. His family lived in Zurich, where he attended grade school. They later moved to Chinook, where he attended high school. 

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Ronnie enlisted in the U.S. Army on Dec. 19, 1941. He was a member of the U.S. Army Air Corp, Headquarters Squadron 3rd Service Group.  He served in the following battles and campaigns: Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Naples-Foggia and Rome-Arno. Ronnie received an honorable discharge from the Army on June 27, 1945.

Dad was a good athlete, and excelled in football and baseball during high school. He went on to play semi-pro football and baseball in the Army. One of his fondest memories was that he played a catcher for Satchel Paige. Satchel later went on to become a baseball Hall of Famer. Ronnie had a chance to try out for the Saint Louis Cardinals after the war, but was home sick and wanted to come home.

Ronnie met the greatest love of his life, Mildred (Millie) Bevolden, at a country dance in Cleveland, Montana. They were married at the American Lutheran Church in Chinook on Feb. 14, 1948. To this union five children were born.

Ronnie was a devoted family man; family came first. He was always helping to build projects with his kids and grandkids. He loved to take them on hikes, camping, fishing and teasing them whenever he had the chance.

Ronnie owned and operated the Swenson Oil Bulk Station for 39 years before retiring in 1989.  He spent his retirement years working for several farmers around the area. He loved to operate the combine during harvest time.  

He was a perfectionist, he was an excellent fly fisherman and enjoyed tying flies. He held a private pilots license and loved to fly every chance he could get. He was good with his hands and was always at his shop in the barn building or fixing something. There wasn't anything that dad could not fix or build once he set is mind to it. He also had a wonderful gift of giving a helping hand when people were in need.  He had an amazing kinship with animals of all kinds.

He was a life member of Chinook Masonic Lodge #50 and received his 50 Year Service Pin in 2011. He was an outstanding ritualist and presented many lectures and ceremonies from memory.  He was a 32 Degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of the Great Falls Valley.

Ronnie is survived by four children: Ronnie (Eleanor) Swenson Jr. of Billings, Montana, Donnie (Barb) of Chinook, Sue Ann (Rick) Bales of Reno, Nevada, and Kelly Swenson of Chinook; his eight grandchildren, Julie, Sandra, Christine, Austin, Ryan, Trinity, Melissa and Jennifer, and 16 great grandchildren, Lindsay, Courtney, Madison, Adriana, Jake, Drew, Aditi, Cameron, Evan, Joshua, Vinnessa, Wylie, Reubin, Chase, Brett, Patrick; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Mildred; an infant daughter, Janis Jane; sisters, Grace (Swenson) Benbo and Ellen (Swenson) Austad; brother, George Swenson; and his parents, Knute and Carmen Swenson.