Edwin Oscar Swalander passed away Dec. 28, 2022, at the Summit Pacific Medical Center in Elma. His loving children Bob, Ruth and Roger were with him during his final hours. This father of three, grandfather of 11 and great-grandfather of 21 was the patriarch of the Swalander family.
Ed was born in Tacoma, Washington on Jan. 17, 1936. His parents, Oscar and Maude, raised Ed and his four sisters Maudine, Dorothy, Evelyn and Janet on their family farm in Puyallup, Washington. Ed loved his sisters and their families dearly.
Ed graduated from Puyallup High School in 1954. Shortly after graduation he worked for the Weyerhaeuser Timber Company setting chockers. After a year, Ed went to work for Pacific Northwest Bell. He worked for all the iterations of the company for 40 years.
On Aug. 4, 1956, Ed married the love of his life, Rose Leah Gorow. They built a home on a portion of the Swalander family farm. They lived there until 1971 when they and their three children moved to acreage in Elma.
In addition to working for the phone company and on his farm, Ed became an integral part of the Elma community. He became an active member of the Sharon Grange, belonged to the Elma High School ag boosters, the band boosters, the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Posse, the Hospital District Board, the Grays Harbor County Fair Board, the Panhandle 4H Camp Board, and several other organizations. Ed wasn’t just a member of these groups but provided the leadership required to make a difference in them.
Ed enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and tending his farm, but the most important thing to him was family. He watched his family grow and was totally involved with all of them. Family traditions were always on Ed’s calendar. For example, one was Christmas Eve with a Swedish dinner of lutefisk, pickled herring and herring salad.
Ed was the driving force behind the annual Swalander family reunion, a weekend of over 100 relatives. He saw this as an opportunity to pass on the families’ Swedish heritage and traditions to the younger generations.
Ed was preceded in death by his loving wife Rose Leah, his parents Oscar and Maude, and sisters Maudine and Dorothy. He leaves his three children Bob (Doris), Ruth (Terry) and Roger (Julie) who miss him dearly. In addition, those 11 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and sisters Evelyn and Janet. They all know Ed is still looking down and wishing the best for them. He had unconditional love for all members of his family.
A celebration of life for Ed is scheduled for Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. in the McCleary VFW Hall.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation be made to “Swalander Reunion.” Donations will be used to purchase a memorial in Ed’s memory for the Panhandle 4H camp. Panhandle had a special place in Ed’s heart. He enjoyed many Swalander family reunions at the camp. It was an event he looked forward to every year where he was surrounded by family, young and old.
Donations may be sent to:
Swalander Reunion
7412 Mirasett St SW
Tumwater, WA 98512
