Joseph Eugene Swies was born in Chicago on Jan. 9, 1952. Joe was the oldest son of Joseph and Theresa Swies. Later, Joe was joined by brothers Steve and George. The family lived in the close-knit neighborhood of Brighton Park on Chicago’s Southside. Joe attended St. Pancratius Grade School and Kelley High School. As boys, Joe and his brothers kept and flew Racing Homing Pigeons, and as many others did, the boys frequented railyards. They swept empty grain rail cars, sweeping up a few pounds of leftover grain. This grain was fed to the pigeons. Joe had a lifetime interest in Racing Pigeons, maintaining a flock of birds almost up to the end. It was a sad day for Joe and Steve the day the pigeons left.
When Joe entered the “world of work,” he worked at S and K Tool, where he worked about twelve years. The boys became acquainted with this region while vacationing on Balsam Lake and Bone Lake. They met and got to know Ronnie Carlson and Fred Memmer. The three brothers purchased the Clam Falls Store, which they operated from 1982 to 1985. During this period in time, Joe, Steve, and George had well-known reputations as reliable and enthusiastic dance partners at dances held at the Clam Falls Tavern. About this time, George made the decision to relocate back to Chicago. Joe and Steve then moved to the farm where they lived up to the present time.
For some time, they kept a herd of about ten Hereford Brood Cows, selling the calves as feeders. Joe worked at Parker Manufacturing, first at Grantsburg, then at the Chetek facility. He made hydraulic couplings and quick couplers. Joe worked what is commonly known as the “graveyard shift.” Joe and Steve also kept a flock of laying hens. They sold the eggs through several retail outlets. Steve kept the house and wore out several bicycles while visiting Catherine Olson, Tom and Mary Malinovski, Irene Anderson, Eilene Thoeny, Mary Carlson, and others living in the village of Clam Falls. During this last chapter in Joe’s life, Steve was Joe’s primary caregiver.
Joe was an avid angler and hunter. He had fond memories of pheasant hunting in northern Illinois. Later, he had some large fish mounts and shoulder mounts of large white-tailed buck deer on display in the home. The brothers planted and maintained a garden on an annual basis. Joe kept, raised, and flew his beloved Racing Homing Pigeons. Joe was a devout Catholic, attended Saturday Mass, and was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church.
Joe was a kind, gentle, compassionate, and generous soul. He exhibited empathy, deep concern, and support toward friends and neighbors in their own times of sorrow and grief, in their own times of suffering, and in their periods of trials and tribulations. Joe didn’t swear or curse, and he didn’t tell “off color” jokes or stories. Joe looked for the good in people and looked past their faults.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brothers Steven and George, some cousins, a vast number of friends and neighbors, his St. Dominic family, some pigeon buddies, and others unknown. His passing will leave a hole in the hearts of many. Joe will be greatly, sadly missed, but lovingly remembered by those who knew and loved Joe. We are better people having had him pass through our lives.
Joseph Eugene Swies passed from this life into Eternal Life on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.
A visitation and Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, Sept. 19, at St. Dominic Catholic Church.
