Clarence "Larry" K Swanson

Clarence “Larry” Karl Swanson, long time farmer and rancher of Red Willow, Frontier and Hitchcock County, passed away at his home on December 26, 2022, at the age of 86. The loving husband and father of four children was born to parents Frederick Clarence and Ruth Lillian (Bauer) Swanson in McCook, Nebraska on July 29, 1936.

He received his primary education in a rural school in Frontier County. He graduated from McCook High School with the class of 1953. Larry attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln for 2 years, then he entered the United States Army on September 20, 1955, where he made lifelong friends. Upon his discharge in October 1957, his love for the land took him back to the family farm.

On December 27, 1959, in Orafino, NE he was united in marriage to the love of his life Donna A. Nickerson. This union was blessed with four children: Debra, Christi, Melanie, and Jon.

He was a member of several farm and civic organizations, serving 20 years on the H&RW Irrigation board. He was an active member of the Memorial United Methodist Church.

He enjoyed motorhome traveling, spending winters in Arizona and Hawaii, family vacations in the mountains, and checking out local coffee shops to stay current with daily happenings in the community.  Larry was always on the lookout for a bargain at garage sales.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Irma Della; great grandson, Isiah Cappel; sister, Fredonna Ruppert; brother-in-law, Dale Ruppert; nephew, Daryl Ruppert.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife Donna, daughter Debra Swanson, grandsons Mark (Christina) Cappel and Jarrod Cappel; daughter Christi (Steve) Evans, grandsons Trevor (Alex) Evans, and Chance (Makaley) Evans, and granddaughter Amanda (Preston) Hueftle; daughter Melanie Goodenberger, grandson Dalton and granddaughter Alexis Goodenberger; son Jon (Ann) Swanson and granddaughter Courtnei and Aubrey Swanson; Eight great grandchildren; Special caregiver Tammy Merat, and several cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Larry will be forever remembered for his big hats, Bittersweet Red Convertible, his orange GMC motorhome, wearing cowboy boots with shorts long before it was fashionable, and his adventurous spirit.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be donated to St. Jude Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 OR Shriner's Hospital for Children 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa FL 33607.

Visitation with family present to greet friends, will be held from 5 to 7pm on Thursday, December 29,2022 at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook, NE.

Funeral Services with Military Honors will be held Friday, December 30, 2022, at 11am at the Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook, Nebraska with Pastors Jeff Kelly and Pastor Alisa Parde officiating.