David “Swanee” Raymond Swanson, age 75 of North Hudson, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, at his home. Swanee was born July 24, 1944, the only child of Raymond and Ruth (Dobson) Swanson. He grew up in Hudson and graduated from Hudson High School, class of 1962. He served in the U.S. Air Force during 1965 to 1968, being honorably discharged as sergeant. Swanee was blessed with three children, Angela, Denise and David. He worked at Andersen Windows for 31 years. Retiring in 1999, he was a proud member of their Quarter Century Club. Swanee will long be remembered as the ‘King of the St. Croix River’. As soon as the ice on the St. Croix River was thick enough, Swanee would fire up his white 1986 Chevy half-ton pickup truck and start plowing the popular “Ice Road,” a route Andersen Window commuters used to save time. Although he would ‘retire’, he kept up plowing for many years before he finally stepped down in 2016 from plowing the road. 

Swanee will be remembered for many things. First and foremost, his genuine friendship he offered so many in the community. He always had time to visit to see how you were doing or whats new. His patented handshake made you feel special. In that moment, he made you feel you were the only thing that mattered. He rarely ever missed a visitation at O’Connell’s for someone he knew or for a family member of someone he was acquainted with. Swanee had a love of classic cars. He cherished his ’56 Chevy and helped coordinate many car shows.  Southside Car Show, Yellowstone Booster Car Show, and Cruizin On The Croix were some local shows he loved to organize. Being a member of Chevy’s Best Car Club and the MSRA, he enjoyed coordinating events with them as well. Outside of car shows, he enjoyed his trips to Alaska, collecting guns and knives, and hunting and fishing with friends. 

Swanee  will remain in the hearts of his children, Angela (Larry) Klein, Denise (Mike) Almer, and David (Sabrina) Swanson; fiancé Hilda Miller; grandchildren, Amanda (David) Bunch, Katie Bunker, Jessica Bunker; Taylor Anderson and Logan Wehunt; great-grandchildren, Serenity, Sierra and David Bunch; his St. Bernard, Apple Ann; as well as many extended family members and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., with a time of reflections at 3pm on Saturday, November 16th, at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 S. 11th St., Hudson, WI. Interment with military honors will immediately follow Willow River Cemetery in Hudson. Funeral services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Homes.