Kenneth LeRoy Swenson, 83, of Ontario passed away at the Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta, Wis., on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020.
Ken was born May 29, 1937, to Arby and Cornelia (Bjornstad) Swenson in the town of Christiana. He grew up on a farm and continued farming until he was 33. He then went to work for the Wisconsin State Patrol for many years. For several years, Ken worked as food service worker at Fort McCoy, where he later retired. Ken had an appreciation for antiques and a good eye for finding them. He was an antique dealer out of his basement for many years.
Ken is survived by his daughter, Debbra (special friend, Greg Stedman) Grossheim of Ontario; two grandchildren, Brittany (Kyle) Gerke of Tomah and Brandon (Caleigh) Grossheim of Ontario; his great- grandchildren, Kayden and Maverick Lechner, Brystol Grossheim, Zane Gerke and Gabbi Cummings; his sisters, Lila Anderson of Janesville and Stella “Tootsie” (Chuck) Forrester of Tennessee; Debbra’s mom, Anna Swenson of Mauston; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Arby and Corneilia; a son-in-law, Peter Grossheim; his sisters, Minerva Sletten, Arlene (Joseph) Von Ruden and Dorothy (Edward) Kast, his brothers, Harland (Joyce) Swenson and Charles Swenson and one infant brother; and a brother-in-law, David Anderson.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Cashton. Burial will follow in Brush Creek Cemetery in rural Ontario. Pastor Amanda Schultz Garcia will officiate. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
We strongly encourage masks and will be enforcing social distancing out of respect and care for our families and the community.
Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
