Robert John Swanson

Sun Prairie-Robert J. Swanson, age 65, passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2008 at the HospiceCare Center, Fitchburg, after a courageous battle with heart disease and cancer.   He was born on March 22, 1943 in Sheboygan, the son of Arthur & Bernice (Moran) Swanson.  Bob was united in marriage to Ann Wicke on June 25, 1966 in Watertown, WI.  He has been a resident of Sun Prairie since 1971.  Bob graduated from Wisconsin High School, Madison, and UW-Madison with a degree in Agricultural Journalism.  He had a wonderful zest for life.  Bob was a friendly, outgoing person who enjoyed visiting with old and new friends and had a wonderful talent for making friends wherever he went.  He loved summer sunshine, trains, and working in his yard where he was a master at rearranging shrubs that surrounded his home.  Bob was a loyal fan of the Sun Prairie Home Talent baseball team. He was employed through the years as a writer, editor and food technologist, and retired from Madison Dairy in 2006. He was a member of Our Saviours Evangelical Lutheran Church, Madison.  Bob is survived by his wife of  42 years, Ann of Sun Prairie; children, Kara (Jon) Sieg, Madison and David (Jennifer Koves) Swanson, Jeffersonville, IN; brother, Joseph (Lucia) Swanson, Racine; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents.  Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviours Ev. Lutheran Church, 1201 Droster Road, Madison with Rev. Bradley J. Homan officiating. Burial will be held in Burke Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 from 4-7:00 pm  at the Cress Funeral Home, 1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie and at the church on Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.  Memorials to the Salvation Army, HospiceCare or Our Saviours Lutheran Church, Madison would be appreciated.