Duane Elmer Swanson

Duane Elmer Swanson, 89 of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was born Feb. 17, 1932 in the Township of Sumner, Minnesota, the son of Franklin and Helen (Estby) Swanson. He graduated from Byron High School in 1950 and attended Luther College.

Duane served in the U.S Navy during the Korean War from 1952-1956. He served as a CT3 - Class A Communications Technologist at the Wahiawa Naval Communications base in Hawaii. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Minnesota to begin his career at IBM, Rochester. He married Helen Marie Boice on June 1, 1957 in Harmony, MN. They settled in Byron, MN and raised four children.

He started his career at IBM Rochester on the assembly line and ended as a programmer for the onboard space shuttle program at NASA, Houston, retiring in May 1992 after a 36-year career with IBM.

Duane was actively involved in raising his four children, coaching and attending their athletic events as well as their musical performances. Active in churches in Minnesota, Texas, Michigan and Missouri, he served his Lord faithfully and led by an impeccable example of kindness and strength. His smile and Norwegian jokes lit up a room. Duane enjoyed playing cribbage and watching westerns. His family was his most beloved treasure and he derived great joy from time spent with his children, grandchildren and his great grandchildren.

Blessed with a robust, resonant tenor voice, Duane loved to sing. His innate musicality was passed on to his children. He sang his favorite hymn, "How Great Thou Art" on his 89th birthday just 9 days before he went on to be with his Lord.

Duane is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Helen. He is survived by his children, Beth (Timothy) Hsu, Stephen (Laurel) Swanson, Rebecca (James) Watts and Mark Swanson; 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

As a combat veteran of the Korean War, he will be interred with full military honors at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri this summer.