Darrel Swenson, 81, passed away on Dec. 3, 2023, at Traditions of Frederic.
Darrel was born Feb. 21, 1942, to Willard and Bessie Swenson. He was the 10th child in their family of 12.
Darrel attended Orr School and graduated from Grantsburg High in 1960. He attended Dunwoody College in Minnesota for machining. He took a job as a machinist for Precise Products where he worked for six years. He married Karen Erickson and they had three children, Carson, Dallas and Jennifer.
In 1968 they bought a house in Cushing and Darrel started his own machine shop in his garage.
Darrel and Karen enjoyed going to many concerts including Elvis, Conway Twitty, Neil Diamond and Liberace. They also enjoyed snowmobiling, dancing and going on trips around the United States. Darrel also enjoyed playing golf and bowling.
Darrel and Karen purchased his parents’ farm in 1972 where he raised beef cattle and expanded his machine shop, Metal Products Company.
In 1993, he moved his business to the Grantsburg industrial park where it is still open and operated by Carson and Dallas.
When he wasn’t busy running his business, Darrel enjoyed cutting grass and mowing trails at his farm for the grandkids to ride four-wheelers and golf carts on. Darrel treasured his grandkids, and he loved the Green Bay Packers. He also enjoyed tractors and old cars.
Darrel moved to Traditions of Frederic in 2018. He made many new friends there. He was very fond and appreciative of all the wonderful caregivers and employees. Many thank-yous are due to all of the staff at Traditions who took such good care of him and meant so much to him.
Darrel is survived by his wife, Karen; children, Carson, Dallas and Jennifer (Nick) Phernetton; grandchildren, Tearran Hess, Mathew Swenson, Nathan Swenson, Ryan (Kendra) Phernetton, Natalie (Nick) Wanner and Ben Phernetton; great-grandchildren, Edmund and Louis Wanner; siblings, Curt (Cora) Swenson, Richard (Lois) Swenson, Gene Swenson, William Swenson, Betty Doolittle and Diane (Casper) Nielson; along with many nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Darrel was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Bessie; sisters, Marion Huber, Marlys Carlson and Luann Diley; and brothers, Arlen Swenson and Peter Swenson.
No funeral services will be held.
Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at swedberg-taylor.com.
