Peter A. “Pete” Swanson, 82, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, January 9, 2025.

Peter Allen Swanson was born September 8, 1942 to Bennie and Grace (Harbron) Swanson in Clinton, Iowa.  He went to Malone Country school through 6^th grade, then attended DeWitt public schools and graduated from DeWitt High School in 1960.  After high school Pete joined the National Guard in October of  1960.  He was honorably discharged in May of 1964.  He was united in marriage to Linda Myatt on September 6, 1964 at First Lutheran Church, Maquoketa, IA.

Pete was raised on the family farm and began farming right out of high school.  He farmed in the DeWitt and Elwood area raising hogs, cattle, corn, beans and hay.  The farm was turned over to his son’s, Jeff and Joel, in 2010.  Pete continued to help on the farm until the fall of 2023.

He was baptized at Emmanuel Lutheran Church and was confirmed as a member at Grace Lutheran Church in DeWitt.  Pete later became a member of First Lutheran Church.

Pete was very active on the Clinton County Pork Producers and served on their Board of Directors.  He also served on the Clinton County 4-H and Youth Committees.  Pete was active in FFA during high school and continued to support FFA when his two sons were in high school.  He was Director of the Lost Nation Consumers Co-op and was a longtime member of the Clinton/Jackson Farm Bureau.  Being a member of the Coronado Car Club gave Pete joy to showcase his restored 1951 Chevy.

Most of all Pete enjoyed farming, fishing trips with his buddies, and deer hunting with the crew.  There were always lots of stories to share when they all got together.  Besides hunting and fishing, Pete became a Harley Davidson enthusiast and traveled to various parts of the state with friends on his big red Harley.   On Sunday afternoons you could find Pete driving around in his restored 1951 Red Chevy looking at the crops.  Pete became an avid wood carver, taking classes in Iowa and various other states, and was a member of the Affiliated Wood Carvers, LTD.

Pete was very proud of his two sons and daughters-in-law, Jeff and Denise, Joel and Deb, along with his three grandkids Chloe, Sean, and Tanner.

Surviving Pete is his wife, Linda; son, Jeff and Denise, grandchildren Chloe and Sean, and son Joel and Deb, and grandson Tanner; and sisters, Jan Fahrenkrog of Eldridge, IA and Mary Jo (Dick) Kelly of DeWitt, IA.  Pete had many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents Grace and Bennie Swanson, sister Carol Hawkins of Arizona, and his in-laws Edward and Mable Myatt of Maquoketa.

A celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, January 17, 2025, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa.  Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Thursday, January 16, 2025, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa.  Burial will be at the Elwood, Iowa Cemetery.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Hospice of Jackson County, Elwood Cemetery Association, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.CarsonAndSon.com.