Funeral Services For Delmar Swanson

Memorial services for Delmar E. Swanson, age 77, of Niobrara, Nebraska will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at Niobrara Lutheran Church in Niobrara. Reverend Beverly Rautenberg-Panko will officiate, with burial in Riverview Cemetery in Niobrara.

Military Honors will be provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4834, American Legion Post 224, the United States Army Honor Guard, and the American Legion Riders.

Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.

Brockhaus Funeral Home in Niobrara is in charge of arrangements.

Delmar died Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at Alpine Village in Verdigre, Nebraska.

Delmar E. Swanson, son of Verner and Letty (Knutson) Swanson, was born July 30, 1937, at Niobrara, Nebraska. Delmar spent most of his early years in Niobrara with the exception of a few years when he moved with his family to Oregon where his dad worked in the sawmills. When they returned to Niobrara he finished his education at Niobrara Public School and graduated from Niobrara High School in 1955. Many of his classmates recall having fun camping with Delmar and some exciting tales of fishing on a homemade pontoon boat.

Delmar joined the United States Army in 1961 at Omaha, Nebraska and took his basic training at Fort Hood, Texas. He received special training as a clerk typist at Fort Ord, California, and was stationed in Germany and Cleveland, Ohio. Delmar received the Good Conduct Medal and the Marksman Medal. He was discharged in New York City in 1963.

Delmar belonged to the American Legion Post 224 for over thirty years and rarely missed a meeting. He enjoyed going to the Norfolk Veterans Home and playing Bingo with the residents.

After his discharge from the armed services, he worked in Grand Island at a trailer home factory and an ammunition plant. He also worked at Affiliated Foods, Walmart, the CR Plant in Springfield, South Dakota, and various other jobs. In January 1985, Delmar purchased the Sanitation Service from Alfred Schlote and operated that business until November 1, 1988.

Delmar was a faithful member of the Niobrara Lutheran Church and rarely missed a service. His favorite activities included reading local newspapers, watching Nebraska sports and westerns on TV, fishing, bowling, sports, and stamp collecting. Delmar was an avid “puzzle man.”

Delmar also enjoyed spending holiday dinners with his cousin and her family. Since his sister, Lois and his nieces and nephews were all in Wisconsin and Texas, he “adopted” Valorie, Sally, and Judy as his second family. He looked forward to the letters and pictures from his sisters’ kids and grandkids in Wisconsin and proudly displayed them at every opportunity.

For several years Delmar was the right hand man for Laura at the Country Café. He opened up early in the morning, starting the grills and serving coffee to the early customers. 

A recent highlight was a couple years ago when his niece and family visited and took him to the Outdoor Expo at Ponca State Park. Delmar was surprised when the 6:00 news came on and there was his picture.

On May 28, 2014, Delmar entered Alpine Village in Verdigre due to his failing health. His health improved and he was able to move into the assisted living area which he enjoyed. Later Delmar’s health failed again, and he moved back into the nursing home where he remained until he passed away on April 1, 2015.

He leaves to mourn, a sister, Lois McCauley of River Falls, Wisconsin and family.

Delmar was preceded in death by his parents, Verner and Letty Swanson; his brother, Verne Dale Swanson; brother-in-law, Don McCauley; and a niece, Debra Lynn McCauley.