Darold Swanson, 88
Darold Lee Swanson, 88, Red Oak, passed away, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at Montgomery County Memorial Hospital.
Born in the family farmhouse in Montgomery County, parents Elin (Hultquist) and Arnold Swanson welcomed their first and only child, Darold Lee, into the world on April 13, 1934.
Young Darold was educated at Pittsburg, Coburg and Mount Hope country schools before graduating from Red Oak High School in the class of 1952. Darold attended Iowa State University for one year, followed by a year at Omaha University. He then volunteered for the Army draft and spent 1954-1956 in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Upon returning, Darold soon married (1956) the sweetheart of his life, his “just-across-the-road” neighbor, Beverly Jean Hartstack. He liked to say they “met in a cornfield.” Soon came Kevin Lee (1957), Kirk Darold (1959), Kent David (1962), Julie Ann (1963) and Kyle Robert (1970).
Darold’s father initially tried to dissuade him from a career in farming. Darold tried jobs in auto, insurance and fertilizer sales. He also drove for a trucking company, transporting produce. But eventually, Darold returned to the farm to continue his parents’ operation. He and Beverly raised their family there until the farmhouse tragically burned while the family was attending church (1974). Darold only had a $10 bill in his wallet that morning which he had placed in the offering plate at Mamrelund Lutheran Church. Everything was lost. Housing was soon replaced on the farm, and his sons continue the business today as 4K Farms.
The fire was the first of several losses for Darold. In 2000, son Kyle was killed in an auto accident. Lifelong partner Bev passed away in 2016; and grandson Jeffrey Hanson died in 2020. But despite these losses, Darold continued with an amazingly positive outlook on life. His faith reassured him that all would soon be reunited.
Darold held positions with the Montgomery County Pork Producers board, Pioneer Mutual Board, Montgomery County Historical Society, Elks Club and was a Mason and Shriner with the Za-Ga-Zig chapter in Des Moines.
Darold is survived by his four children, Kevin Swanson, Kirk Swanson (Jerra), Kent Swanson (Margee), Julie Swanson Hanson (Hal); and five grandchildren, Heather Swanson Long (Clay), Daniel Swanson, Dylan Swanson, and Dana Swanson.
Visitation will be held at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel in Red Oak on Sunday, Nov.13, 2022, from 3 to 5 pm. Funeral Services at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Red Oak, Iowa, will be held on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, at 10 a.m.
The family requests memorials be directed to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Red Oak.