Fred Swalboski

Posted 11/13/02

Funeral services for Fredrick Johann Swalboski, 89, were held Wednesday, Nov. 13, at St. Paulís Lutheran Church in Milaca with the Rev. Vernon Dorn officiating.

Burial followed at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. Pallbearers included Tim Gruba, Alan Gruba, Brian Swalboski, Todd Swalboski, Mark Swalboski, Michael Swalboski and Matthew Swalboski. Honorary pallbearers included Therese Walz, Judy Boyum, Shannon Shaw, Cynthia Swalboski and Sarah Swalboski.

Arrangements were by the Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home of Milaca.

Mr. Swalboski died Saturday, Nov. 9, 2002 at his home.

He was born Sept. 1, 1913 in Sauk Rapids, Minn., to Michael and Augusta (Dropps) Swalboski. The family lived in Benton County and, after living in northern Minnesota and near Frobisher, Saskatchewan, Canada for several years, returned to Benton County. Fred was confirmed in the Popple Creek Lutheran Church where he had been baptized. He played town-team baseball and provided music at dances with his accordion.

He married Violet Swedberg July 5, 1934. They farmed in the Benton and Morrison county area for many years. Fred went to work at Gibson Lumber in the early 1950s and in 1963 he, his brother Walt and his son Jerry started Milaca Cashway Lumber. Fred built his own house and retired to his beloved 40-acre property northwest of Milaca in 1974.

Fred was an avid booster of Milaca sports teams and was honored as Milaca Fan of the Year. He played church league softball for many years. He and Violet especially enjoyed attending games that included a family member. They also enjoyed traveling together by car, fishing, picking blueberries and doing anything with their family.

He is survived by daughter, Maxine Gruba (Al) of Foreston; sons, Jerry (Millie) of Milaca, Ron (Dorothy) of Apache Junction, Ariz., Jon (partner Paul Cronin) of Jamaica Plain, Mass., and Craig (Dawn) of Rochester, Minn.; 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; sisters, Caroline Bolz of Milaca, Julia Hennek of Foley and Jean Kaeding of Hopkins, Minn.; and many neighbors, friends and members of the community.

He was preceded in death by his wife Violet in 1999, after 65 years of marriage; his parents; one sister, Martha Hagedorn; and two brothers, Walt and Edwin.