Harold Dave ‘Swede’ Swenson

Born on Feb. 9, 1933, on the original family farm near Hampden, ND, during a North Dakota prairie snowstorm, Harold Dave "Swede" Swenson was the youngest of three children born to Robert and Freda Swenson. He passed away on June 24, 2017, with his loving wife Sonja at his side.

Swede is survived by his wife of 30 years, Sonja; his four children, Pamela Wessel, Keith Swenson, Robert Swenson and Lisa Kling; and his four grandchildren, Jennifer, Eric, Nicole and Zakary; along with his five great-grandchildren, Malary, Anna, Charles, Jackson and Lena. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Mark Morgan, Greg Morgan and Stacie Colarchik; and step-grandchildren Shawn, Leigh, Nathan, Ryan, Tyler and Adam. He was preceded in death by his first wife and the mother of his children, Yvonne; his father and mother; his sisters, Ruth and Ethel; and his grandson, Jamison Swenson.

For over 60 years, Swede's professional life was centered in the oil exploration business in North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Alaska. He worked his way up the line from derrick hand to drilling superintendent and, after semi-retirement, started his own business as a drilling consultant. Swede was a participant in various roles in the 1970s' oil discovery boom at Prudhoe Bay on the North Slope of Alaska.

The family has asked that any memorials be given to a charity of your choice or in honor of the 1801 Broadwater AA Chapter, where Swede was a grateful member and a mentor for over 30 years.

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This is a piece written by Swede Swenson several years ago when he was in the mountains and looking out over nature's beauty. He had told us over the years how humbled and grateful he was for "the Coach's" love, and recited this poem again to his children at his bedside shortly before he took "another walk with Thee."

With Gratitude

Thank you, God, so very much

for all you've done for me

And thank you, Lord, especially

for letting me be free

And thank you, Friend, for being there

each time I tripped and fell

To pick me up and welcome me

‘til I was doing well

And don't you know it's meant a lot

just knowing You were there

Each time that I have truly felt

that no one really cared

And when You lay me down

the last and final time

How peaceful it will be

'cause now I know that You'll be there

to take another walk with me.