Darrel D. Swenson

Darrel D. Swenson, 80, Grand Forks, died October 23, 2023 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, October 30, 2023, at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, ND. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Monday.

Darrel D. Swenson was born October 8, 1943, in Hettinger, ND, to Swen and Edna (Roehl) Swenson. He was raised on the family farm near Bucyrus, ND, and educated and graduated from Hettinger High School. He enlisted in the Navy in 1961 and served on the USS Salisbury Sound AV-13 as a machinist mate and was honorably discharged in 1968. Upon discharge he put his mechanical skills to work at Capitol Standard in Helena, MT. In 1972, he returned to North Dakota and began farming near Scranton, ND, and also worked for American Colloid near Gascoyne, ND. In 1986, he moved to Grand Forks, ND, and started working at JR Simplot, where he worked until his retirement in 2010.

Darrel married Erlis (Paulson Chase) on June 18, 1987, in Grand Forks, ND. He welcomed Erlis's family as his own. He was proud to be a dad, grandpa, uncle and great grandpa. He enjoyed spending time with family and supporting many of the grandkids in their sporting events. He never missed sending a birthday, anniversary or Christmas card to every one of the kids and grandkids. These cards he proudly made himself on the computer as Erlis had taught him. They were usually the first gift the recipient received as he had his calendar up to date. Erlis' family is grateful for the love and care that Darrel provided during her long bout of cancer and health issues. They recognized that he added years to her life for them to share.

Nothing gave Darrel more pleasure than jumping in his car and taking a road trip, taking time to stop and visit family and friends on the way. The car knew the way to many local casinos which treated him well. He enjoyed taking vacations with Erlis and later with his good friend, Lorri. He especially enjoyed his annual Naval reunion of the USS Salisbury Sound. Most recently he was in Nashville, TN, with his Navy brothers just days before his passing. He was the neighborhood yard guy, sharing his mower and snowblower to keep their yards and driveways clear. He will be missed by Lorri, Peggy and Paul as well as his coffee buddies in Grand Forks.

Darrel will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by daughters, Denise (Ralph) Fried, Mandan, ND, Leanne ( Jeff) Stiefel, Hazen, ND; son, Don (Jane) Chase, West Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Stacey (Bob) Olander, Dustin (Elena) Faris, Brittany (Dusty) Erhardt, JW (Shantel) Lorenz, Amber (Bret) Gabert, Alexis Stiefel, Colton (Brooke Ackerman) Stiefel; Gabrielle Chase, Austin (Maggie) Chase, Brandon (Daejha Moss) Chase, Kasey Chase; Jadon Chase; great-grandchildren, Kylie and Mason Olander, Cooper, Carter, Parker Erhardt, Avari and Brevin Gabert, Brianna, William and Brooklyn Lorenz; brothers, Vince Swenson and Steve (Cheryl) Swenson; sisters, Leanne (Marlin) Fried, Lynette Kvanvig, Melody (Ron) Monson, Donzetta (Eric) Strandjord; sister-in-law, Rita Swenson and Rosie (Charlie) Hilton; and his nieces and nephews and special friends.

Darrel was preceded in death by his wife, Erlis; parents, Swen and Edna Swenson; brother, Boyd Swenson; great-nephew, Maison Berry; sister-in-law, Diane Swenson; and mother-in-law, Eleanor Paulson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery, Mandan, ND, or charity of your choice in Darrel's name.