James “Jim” Juneau Swanson, 94, Green Bay, passed away peacefully with family at his side on April 16, 2024, at Woodside Nursing Home, Green Bay. Jim was born in Goodman, Wisconsin, April 9, 1930, to the late Henning and Catherine Swanson.
Jim graduated from Goodman High School, Class of 1950. From 1951 to 1952 he served in the United States Marine Corps. Monarch Steel of Hammond, Indiana, The Milwaukee Railroad, and at Proctor & Gamble Jim was known as “Swany” and retired after 37 years from the Procter and Gamble Company in Green Bay (former Hoberg/Charmin Paper Companies). Jim would enjoy reminding people, “Please don’t squeeze the Charmin!!!!” In 1956, a young Dutch girl, Anna Mae De Groot, caught his eye and heart during shopping trips to the Bay Rexall Drug store in downtown Green Bay. In June of 1957, they married at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Howard. This was the start of a lifelong union and the raising of eight children.
Jim loved the outdoors, especially the Marinette County forests. Hunting, fishing, gardening, and love of all animals were special passions for him. Annual fishing trips to Canada with his sons became a treasured tradition. Up until the 1980’s, Jim was actively snow shoeing the logging trails of Marinette County, and proudly reminding his family his vintage snowshoes were purchased from Sears catalog for $12.45. Jim was very proud of the Swanson 40 acre estate on Wilderness Drive in Goodman and his self-built cabin. The property would be an important part of the family with many summers and much time spent there. Deer blind building, hunting, fishing, gardening, feeding the birds and observing wildlife that frequented the cabin back door brought much joy. Jim was a devout Catholic and lifelong parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Parish (Green Bay Quad Parishes).
He is survived by his seven children, Mary Ann Bjorklund (Yvo Boers), Allouez/Enschede, Netherlands, Steve (Donna) Swanson, Shertz, Texas, Linda (Jim) Viall, Ashwaubenon, Marilyn (Steve) Dahlen, Franklin, Tennessee, Lisa (Josh) Richardson, Milwaukee, David (Renee) Swanson, Green Bay, and Rich (Candice) Swanson, Farmington, Minnesota; twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren; brothers, Alfred (Jeannine) Swanson, Dunbar, Wisconsin, and Richard “Dickie” (Betty) Swanson, Goodman, Wisconsin. Also, numerous extended family and friends who have been a comforting support to Jim during the end of his life, Dick (Sue) DeGroot, Nancy and Clare Sobieck, Sister Ann Marie Selinsky, Sobig Swanson, Goodman, and Catherine Chitko, Goodman. The family dedicated special prayers and thoughts for his sister-in-law, Liz De Groot of Pennsylvania. Family friend Fred Cichanofsky kept him well fed with brook trout and woodland blueberries – goods always traded at the Fleet Farm parking lot.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by wife, Anna Mae Swanson (2019); a daughter, Donna Mae Robinson (2017); brothers, Gerald “Hawk-eye” Swanson, Ernest “Ernie” Swanson, and Arthur “Archie” Swanson; and sisters, Florence Cox, Grace Hughes, Loretta Howard, and Gloria Hoy.
Friends may call at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1224 12th Avenue, on Wednesday, April 24th from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. The Mass of Catholic Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Phillip Dihn-Van-Thiep officiating. The burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery in Goodman, Wisconsin. On-line condolences may be given at www.prokowall.com.
The family is very appreciative for the exceptional care Jim received at Woodside Nursing home. After Jim settled in, Woodside became a comfortable place for him and a welcoming and loving gathering place for the family. Unity Hospice went above and beyond being at our side and providing peace of mind and comfort that permitted the family to honor, dignify, and celebrate Jim’s life.