HURON — Richard H. Swanson, 81, of Huron, passed away Friday, December 1, 2023, at Huron Regional Medical Center.

Visitation with family present will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at Welter Funeral Home.

His graveside service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at St. Martin Cemetery.  

Richard Henry Swanson was born on Feb. 25, 1942, to Roy H. and Julia (Konshak) Swanson in Huron. He attended St. Teresa Catholic grade school and graduated from Huron High School in 1960.

On Oct. 25, 1969, he married Sherry Lee Hofer at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Huron and they continued to reside in Huron. Rich had various jobs through the years—Raven, Kasperson Ford, and Hurd Alignment. In 1974, he opened his own automotive repair shop. When autos became too computerized, he closed the shop and began a 20-year career as a dispatcher for Huron State Radio retiring in December 2008.

He was a former volunteer fireman with the Huron Fire Department and a certified EMT with the Huron Ambulance.

Rich was a Jack-of-all-Trades. He was able to build, repair or fix almost anything, including building his shop and their home, and was always willing to give a helping hand.

He is survived by his wife, Sherry; siblings, Margaret Greschke of Sioux Falls, Lyle (Janet) Swanson of Huron and James Swanson of Janesville, Wis.; sister-in-law, Phyllis Swanson of Brandon; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; brothers, Roy, Thomas and William; sister, Mary Kuhns; brother-in-law, Ed Greschke; sisters-in-law, Betty Swanson and Helen Swanson; and his parents-in-law, Melvin A. and Pearl E. Hofer.

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