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Swenson, 91, of Valley City died Wednesday morning, Feb. 29, 2012 at the Sheyenne Care Center.
Per George’s wishes, there will be no funeral service, however, visitation will be held at Lerud-Schuldt Funeral Home from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, March 2. Burial will be in Woodbine Cemetery, Valley City, in the spring.
George Gilbert Swenson was born May 30, 1919, the son of Sven and Berthea (Ellingson) Svenson (later changed to Swenson). He was raised at Sanborn, ND and graduated from Sanborn High School in 1937.
Following graduation, George worked as a farmhand in the Valley City area, principally for his brother-in-law, Arthur Falvey, until 1948. He then worked briefly for Bonhus Electric in Valley City. In December 1949, George and his brother-in-law, Roy Martin, along with three other partners, formed Baldhill Electric in Valley City. In 1951, George and the other partners sold their interest in the electrical business to Martin. He then joined the Valley City Police Department in 1951, retiring as a lieutenant in 1984, after 33 years of service.
George married Ruth (Bruns) Undem April 21, 1949 in Valley City where they made their home. Ruth died April 25, 1951.
George enjoyed time in his shop where he, with the help of his brother Barney, renovated a 1938 Ford sedan, which his mother was honored to ride in during the Sanborn Centennial celebration as one of the community’s oldest residents. He later enjoyed renovating old tractors, often sharing afternoons on this hobby with his longtime friend and co-worker, Bernie Kracht, and others.
George was dedicated to his mother, brothers and sisters and their spouses, often lending a hand with home building projects, maintaining his mother’s home in Sanborn, and helping take care of the needs of his elderly sisters in later years.
He is survived by his stepdaughters, Anthonia “Toni” (Michael) Meiers, Ogema, Wis., and Shirley Erickson, Sterling Heights, Mich.; local nieces and nephews, Angie Martin, Douglas (Kathy) Martin, Gary (Claire) Swenson and Margaret “Marge” (Larry) Besette, all Valley City, and several other nieces and nephews; 11 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth; brothers Hjalmer, Barney and Emil; and sisters Clara Cruff, Florence Swenson, Emma Falvey and Lillian Martin.