Dee Swanson

A Memorial Service for Franklin "Dee" Swanson will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Reverend Dr. W. Kirwin Stewart, Jr. officiating.  An inurnment will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery, Holdrege.

Dee Swanson, 88 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Holdrege Memorial Homes Assisted Living.  Dee was born in Alma, Nebraska on December 9, 1937, the eldest of three children, to C. Arthur "Art" and Helen (Davis) Swanson.  Dee received his education from Holdrege Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1955.

Dee first met the love of his life, Marilyn Johnson, when they were five years old and played together in front of her father's jewelry store. They had their first date while in junior high and, after graduation, began classes at Nebraska State Teachers College in Kearney, Nebraska. The couple were engaged in 1956 and married on June 29, 1958, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege. The couple were blessed with two children, Mark and Cindy, and the family made their home in Holdrege.

Dee was a "people person" and loved to strike-up a conversation with anyone.  Sales was a natural fit for Dee, and he began his career with the local newspaper, The Holdrege Daily Citizen.  In 1966, Dee worked in advertising sales for the Yellow Pages Phonebook Company in Omaha, Nebraska.  In 1969, he began working as a Salesman for Circle Steel Company where he sold grain bins and commercial buildings.  Following his years at Circle Steel, he worked for Chief Industries as their General Sales Manager.  In his retirement years, Dee again worked part-time as an Ad Salesman for The Holdrege Daily Citizen.

Dee was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church.  In his free time, Dee enjoyed golf, playing cards and a good cabernet.

Dee was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Marilyn Swanson; his parents, Art and Helen Swanson; his brother, James Arthur Swanson; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ellsworth and Marie (Lonn) Johnson; and two brothers-in-law, Bruce Johnson and his wife, Irene; and Ronny Johnson.

Dee is survived by his children Cindy Beaman and her husband, Doug, of Grand Island, Nebraska; Mark Swanson and his wife, Teresa, of Denver, Colorado; four grandchildren: Craig Beaman and his wife, Emily, of Kearney, Nebraska; Cassie Swanson of Kansas City, Missouri; Kyle Beaman of Grand Island, Nebraska; Connor Swanson and his wife, Taylor, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; two great-grandchildren: Max and Charlie Beaman; his sister, Patricia DeCamp of Hudson, Ohio; sister-in-law, Beverly Swanson; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Book Signing will be held on Friday, September 4, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in Dee's honor and kindly suggested to the First Presbyterian Church of Holdrege.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.