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Eskil O. Swenson • 1920 - 2002 Eskil O. Swenson, 81, Kenmare, ND, died Sunday, July 28, 2002, in a Mandan, ND, hospital. He was born September 5, 1920, in rural Loland Township, Mountrail County, near Coulee, ND, to Rudolf and Thora (Gauthun) Swenson. He was raised and educated at Loland Township School. He helped and worked on his parents' farm for a time. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army 713th Tank Battalion, Company B, from October 30, 1942 to February 21, 1946, during World War II. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and was a tank operator in Okinawa, Japan. He was wounded in Okinawa and awarded a Purple Heart medal of honor. He also received a Good Conduct medal, an Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with one battle star. He returned to North Dakota following his honorable discharge from the service. He married Carole Smith on December 31, 1952, in Minot, ND. They lived and farmed near Coulee from 1952 through 1978. In 1964, he entered into partnership with Delmer Nelson and Carl Sauer, to own and operate the International Harvester dealership in Kenmare. They operated the business until 1978, when the partnership dissolved. Eskil retired in 1978 and remained living in Kenmare. They enjoyed spending much of their summers at their cabin at Lake Metigoshe, ND, and their winters in Apache Junction, AZ. He was a charter member of the American Legion Heidenberg-Peterson Post #64, the Historical Society and the Pioneer Village, which he served as president for ten years, all of Kenmare. He also was a member of the Historical Society in Minot. Eskil enjoyed attending area auction sales and fixing old and interesting equipment and antiques. Survivors: wife, Carole, Kenmare, ND; brother, Willis Swenson, Lakota, ND; sister, Sylvia Hanson (Ray), Bismarck, ND; sisters-in-law, Laura Swenson, Apache Junction, AZ, Esther Swenson, Twin Falls, ID, and Emma Swenson, Fargo, ND; numerous nieces and nephews also survive. His parents; three brothers, Oscar, Emil, and Gus Swenson; sister, Ida Fry; and sister-in-law, Darlene Swenson, preceded him in death. Funeral Service: Thursday, August 1, 2002, at 2:00 p.m. at Memorial Grade School Gymnasium, Kenmare, ND Visitation: Wednesday, July 31, 2002, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Kenmare, ND Burial: Lakeview Cemetery, Kenmare, ND Officiants: Dale Spencer and Daniel Farris Music |