Donald "Don" Bernard Swanson

Donald “Don” B. Swanson, age 91, peacefully passed away on April 26, 2024. Don was born on October 8, 1932, to Elmer and Josephine Swanson in Anaconda where he resided his entire life.

Don attended St. Paul’s grade school where he found his love for sports. He attended Central High School and was active in baseball, basketball, and football. He was a four-year letterman in Football and Basketball. Don was a member of the 1949 State B Legion Baseball Championship, the 1951 East West Shrine Game, and the 1951 Class B Basketball Championship.

After high school, Don went to work for the Anaconda Company as a carpenter where he worked for 20 plus years. He would later transfer to AFFCO where he worked as a patternmaker until his retirement.

Don was married to Donna Monroe for 49 years until her passing in 2003. From this marriage sons, Don and David, and daughter, Laurie, were born. Don was always the provider for the family, often working extra jobs to make ends meet. Don instilled the value of hard work in his children.

Don’s biggest joys after family were hunting and fishing. He would often talk about how his main from of transportation was hitchhiking west of town to fish or Gregson to swim. Life was so simple then.

Don was very proud of his seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He would love to take them fishing at Georgetown or Echo Lake. He would often tell his grand daughter that you had to hold your mouth just right to catch fish. This resulted in a lot of funny faces in the boat.

Don is preceded in death by his wife, Donna; son, David; brother, Jack Swanson; sister, Jean Grubich; brother-in-law, William “Jumbo” Grubich; mother and father in law, Charlie and Veda Monroe; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Jean Hicks, and son in law, Rick Monroe.

Don is survived by his son, Don (Karen) Swanson; daughter, Laurie Swanson Dulaney (Delmer) Green; grandchildren, Brittney (Jake) Doherty, Vanessa Swanson, Savanah Swanson (Tyler Jenson), Rachael Anderson, Dani (Scott) Kelleher, Kristen (Nick) Villa; niece, Cathy (Jim) Devine; nephews, Bill, Bob, and John Grubich, and Craig, Ross, and Chris Swanson; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Bud and Joanne Monroe, and Mike and Donna Monroe.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 13th at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 401 Alder St., Anaconda with a visitation beginning at 9 a.m. Following Mass, a luncheon will be held in the Hunthausen center at Holy Family Church, 217 W. Pennsylvania St., Anaconda.

Memorials in honor of Don are suggested to Pintler Hospice, 118 E. 7th St., Anaconda, MT 59711.

Please visit longfellowfinneganriddlefuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Don. Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Don and his family.