Charles Swanson

Charles Fredrick Swanson was born April 17, 1932 near Republic, Kansas to Carl and Inez (Gabrielson) Swanson. He passed from this life, Monday, January 21, 2019 at Hilltop Lodge, Beloit, Kansas at the age of 86 years. On August 27, 1950 he married the love of his life, Mary Lou Topliff at Lovewell, Kansas and to this union six children were born: Dennis, Duane, Craig, Brad, Chris, and Lucinda. The family spent most summer vacations camping and fishing in the mountains. They also enjoyed traveling to the west coast with the fifth-wheel camper. Charles farmed and ranched for many years. He was also a bull dozer operator during the construction of the Bostwick Irrigation District. Charles worked for Leece Construction installing rural water lines and Superior Implement. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, camping, old machinery, horses and rodeos. He treasured his time with family, especially the grandkids. Always looking forward to a large gathering with homecooked food. Charles was preceded in death by his parents; son Chris in 1977, sister-in-law Donna Clark; and brothers-in-law, Emery Hobelman, Ray Clark, Lewis Topliff. He will always be remembered with warmth and affection by his wife of 68 years, Mary Lou Swanson; sons Dennis and wife Linda, Duane, Brad and friend Amy Williams all of Courtland, Craig and wife Alice, Woodburn, Oregon; daughter Lucinda Frerichs and husband Lowell, Liberal, Kansas; 10 grandchildren: Amy & Shannon Sampson, Moreauville, LA, Lori & Ryan Carlgren, Formoso, KS, Kevin Swanson, Woodward, OK, Marci & Jace Allen, Scandia, KS, Bre’an & Jonathon Forsythe, Meridian, ID, Justin Swanson, Adam & Danielle Swanson, Belleville, KS, Meghan Swanson, Concordia, KS, Carly Swanson and friend Logan Singular, Courtland, KS, and Ethan Frerichs, Liberal, KS; 15 great grandchildren with another arriving this summer; 1 great, great granddaughter; sisters-in-law Ruth Hobelman and Minnie Topliff; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services will be held 2:00pm Friday, January 25, 2019 at the Covenant Church, Courtland, Kansas with Pastor Dwight Garman officiating. Burial will be in White Rock Cemetery northwest of Courtland. Family will be greeting family and friends Thursday 6:30 to 8:30pm at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas. The family will honor Charles’ wishes and memorials will be fulfilled at a later time.