Clark J. Swanson

Clark James Swanson of Cambridge passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at St. Cloud CentraCare Hospital at the age of 78. Following a valiant battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Clark was born on September 8, 1947, to Levi and Margaret (Peggy) Swanson in Rush City, MN. He spent his childhood years on his family farm in Maple Ridge, learning the value of hard work. He was the youngest of three boys.  He embraced family life, raising pigs and farming on Allis-Chalmers tractors and working as a gas attendant at Stanchfield Corners by the age of sixteen.

After graduating from Braham High School in 1965, Clark was drafted into the United States Army. He was stationed in Oklahoma and Louisiana, where he contributed to the building of rockets before being sent to Vietnam in 1967. In Vietnam, he bravely ran Quad 50-gun trucks; the experience from Vietnam would shape much of his later life. Upon returning home, he married his high-school sweetheart, Annette Person, in July 1969 at Braham Lutheran Church.

Clark and Annette built their life together in Cambridge, where they raised their children, Kimberly and Christopher. Clark enjoyed gardening, starting all of the flowers and vegetables from seed. They had beautiful, raised-bed gardens.

Clark served as a Supervisor for the U.S. Postal Service. He was a courier for Scotsman and ECM Publishing. Later, he managed the produce section of Walmart.

Clark was a quiet force, a pillar of strength, and his passion for service was evident in his involvement with the American Legion, where he continued to serve and support his fellow veterans by providing military honors for the departed veterans and memorial day ceremonies for 50 years.  Clark’s dream of building a memorial park came true in the dedication of the Veterans Memorial Park in Cambridge in 2020. The project took many years to develop.

In 2023, Clark and Annette were honored as the Isanti County Senior Citizens of the year. It was a testament to their enthusiasm and involvement in the community.

Clark’s love for Allis-Chalmers tractors took him to many Threshing Shows with his wife and her brother Leroy. “The Gathering of the Orange” was one of his favorite shows.

Clark was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, and friend to many. Clark loved spending time with his Children, grandchildren, and granddogs. He lived life to the fullest.

Clark will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Annette of 56 years, his daughter, Kimberly Shelley, his son, Christopher (Sara) Swanson; his grandchildren, Caden James, Isaac Alexander, and Emery Alice Swanson; his brother, Dick (Mary Helen) Swanson of Rush City; his sister-in-law, Betty Chapman; his nieces, nephews, and many friends and fellow veterans.

Clark was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter, Christine, and brother, Harry Chapman.

Memorial Service 11 AM, Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home.  Visitation 5-7PM Friday, May 15,  2026 at funeral home and one hour prior to the service.  Committal Service to follow with Military Honors at Siloa Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to:  The Cambridge American Legion Post #290, or to the Veterans Memorial Park of Cambridge

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