Dennis Paul Swanson
September 14, 1952 ~ April 4, 2026
Dennis P. Swanson, 73, Lennox, SD, formerly of South Haven, MN, died Saturday, April 4, 2026, at his home due to health reasons.
A Graveside Committal Service is planned for 11am, Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Calvary Cemetery in Mankato, MN. Cards may be sent to Heartland Funeral Home PO Box 451, Brandon, SD, 57005.
Often known as Denny, he was born the baby of 5 on September 14, 1952, to Don and Doris Swanson. He graduated from Mankato High School in 1970. During high school, he worked at Cub’s Steakhouse.
After graduation and throughout the 1970’s, he joined the carpenters’ union hanging and taping sheetrock for local construction contractors in the Mankato area. He also worked with his Father building houses when construction was slow. In 1971, he married Ingrid Swenson in Mankato, MN. Two beautiful daughters blessed their union.
Following a major back surgery in 1978, he worked for Sears installing windows and other small construction projects.
Dennis returned to full contracting work in the 1980’s. He worked for Becker Brothers out of St. Cloud, MN. He took great pride in each of his construction accomplishments.
In 1983, he married Jan Samuels. A bouncing baby boy came soon after.
In 1992, Dennis married Sandy Olinger. Along came two step-children. They moved to South Haven, MN, and enjoyed restoring a home together. During those years he worked as an estimator for Ben’s Tool and Iron in Waite Park, MN, providing bids for steel projects throughout the area. This is where he retired. He cherished that home for many years and lived there until recently.
Dennis’s hobbies included furniture building, small end tables, lamps, and cedar chests, to name a few. He also enjoyed fishing on his boats. Some of his favorite fishing haunts were Lake John, Lake Miltona, and Lake Winnibigoshish. Often, family memories were made in those locations.
Music was another favorite pastime! Dennis often could be found strumming and singing along with the Beatles, the Eagles, and so many others. He was even known to write and compose a song or two.
In later years, Dennis enjoyed building speaker boxes and selling fishing lures and tools on eBay. He also enjoyed buying guitars, setting them up, and giving them away to his children and grandchildren.
Denny was a man of many talents. He adored his sisters. He loved seeing his kids and grandkids. He enjoyed researching dinosaurs and astrology. He will forever be missed.
Dennis is survived by his children, Theresa (Adam) Aberle, Amy (Matt) East, and Daniel (Fiona) Swanson; grandchildren, Ausin (Anna) Aberle, Devin Swanson, Alex Aberle, Lexi (Josh) Miller, Hunter VanDiepen, Aaron (Kacie) Aberle, Madi Jensen, Carter Jensen, Braeden Jensen, Liam Swanson, Brody Swanson, and Theo Swanson; honorary grandchildren, Chandler Abernathy, LaKeisha Abernathy; great-grandchildren, Emmett, Julia, Asher, Ivy, and Griffin; honorary great-grandchildren, Zeke and Amir; step-children, Sammie Olinger and Brian (Holly) Sampson; six step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Harriet Wolff and Lois Vik; and many nieces and nephews.
Dennis was preceded in death by his wife, Sandy; his mother, Doris; his father, Donald; his sister, Sally; his brother, Samuel; and his brother-in-law, Donnie.
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