James E. Swanson

James E. Swanson

Monument, Colorado

James Edward “Jim” Swanson, age 98, died on January 17, 2025 in Monument, Colorado.

Jim was born February 1, 1926, to Lawrence Edward and Harriett Zilpha Mae Hogle Swanson in Evanston, Illinois.

Jim’s family lived in a variety of locations during the Great Depression of the 1930s from Chicago, to Wisconsin, Montana, Oregon, and several towns in Iowa. He graduated from high school in Lanyon, Iowa in 1944. Jim joined the Navy in July 1945. He was at boot camp when word came that the atomic bomb had been dropped, and the war was over. Jim believed the A-bomb probably saved his life as he was being trained for the invasion of Japan.

Jim met Roberta Luetta Bloomquist in 1946 at the Boxholm Swedish Methodist Church where she played the organ while she was in high school. He had just returned after World War II, having been discharged from the Navy. They were married March 5, 1950, at the same church in Boxholm, Iowa. The Swansons taught school in several small Iowa towns before settling in Iowa City where they lived for more than 50 years. In 1960, the joy of their lives, a daughter, Roberta Ann, was born while they lived in Grand Junction, Iowa.

Jim taught a variety of courses, notably Drivers Ed and Business Ed (typing, shorthand, accounting) at the high school and junior high levels. In Iowa City he taught at Central Junior High, Northwest Junior High, and West High School.

Jim loved, first and foremost, his family: Roberta Ann and husband Scott Ross; two grandchildren, Jacqueline Joy “Jackie” Ross Armstrong (wife of Dave Armstrong); Adam James Ross; and great-grandchildren Madison Joy and Elijah James Armstrong. He enjoyed working on family genealogy and sharing stories of his youth and of past generations. Hobbies included coin and stamp collecting, gardening, and volunteering.

Jim and Roberta were 60-year members of the First United Methodist Church of Iowa City and members of the Iowa City Swedish Club. Jim was a long-time member of the Lions Club, and a Free Mason. Jim and Roberta enjoyed traveling, taking trailer and motorhome expeditions across the US, and extending their trips internationally in their retirement years. They enjoyed attending concerts and theater performances.

Jim was well-known for his ability to strike up a conversation with anyone and find connections with them. When skiing, Jim (up through age 81), would ride up the chairlift with a stranger and have established a friendly connection by the time they got to the top. His memory was very clear, and he enjoyed relating personal stories from the 1940s, 1930s, and even as a small child in the late 1920s.

In 2018, Jim and Roberta moved to Monument, Colorado to be near daughter Roberta Ann and her family.

Roberta passed away in 2021 – after a loving marriage of 71 years. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Marjorie Swanson Knittel.

Jim is survived by daughter Roberta Ann, favorite son-in-law Scott Ross, grandchildren Jackie and Adam who were blessed to know him well into their adulthood, and great-grandchildren Madison “Maddie” and Elijah “Eli” who brought much happiness into his life.

At his request, there will be no memorial service. Jim’s and Roberta’s ashes will be interred in the Bloomquist family plot at Lawn Cemetery near Boxholm, Iowa at a future date.

Those wishing to make a memorial gift may consider these two projects that Jim supported:

1 - Johnson County (Iowa) Retired School Personnel Scholarship Fund (for students majoring in education) – Checks may be written to JCRSP, memo Scholarship; or

2 – Heart of Monument Play Park for All Ages and Abilities – Checks may be written to Monument Hill Kiwanis Club, memo Play Park.

Condolences or contributions may be sent to “Jim Swanson Memorial” - 15954 Jackson Creek Parkway, Suite B-821, Monument, Colorado, 80132.