Lasting Memories

George C. Swanson
Feb. 3, 1933-Feb. 23, 2024
Sandpoint, Idaho

George Clifford Swanson, 91, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 23, 2024 in Sandpoint, Idaho, with his daughter Julie at his side. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at the Fruitland Community Church, 6252 Fruitland Rd. Salem, Oregon with Pastor Ken Baker officiating. Burial will follow at the Lee Mission Cemetery, 2104 D Street, Salem, Oregon. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Kootenai Community Church, 477 Main Street, Kootenai, Idaho. George was born on February 3, 1933 in Helena, Montana to George V. and Sylvia (Bazinet) Swanson. He attended Helena schools and graduated in 1951. He enlisted in the US Army and served in Korea. Back home, he attended Montana State University in Missoula, graduating in June 1959 with a BS in Business Administration. By September he had accepted a job as a management trainee with Carnation Milk Company in Spokane, Washington. His career with Carnation spanned 45 years, taking him from Spokane to Sunnyside, Washington to Oakland, California and from a trainee to Branch Manager and Comptroller. George met Juanita June Denbeigh Howell while both were working for Carnation in Spokane and they married there on September 23, 1961. Most of their married life they lived in Pleasanton, California where they were active in the Valley Community Church and George was able to indulge in his love of all things outdoors -- hunting, fishing, hiking, and skiing. After retirement they continued travelling and spending time with family, especially their growing tribe of grandchildren. In 2010 they moved to Keizer, Oregon to live near their daughter Margot and her husband, Douglas. After Juanita's death in March 2020, George moved to Ponderay, Idaho to live with his daughter, Julie. George is survived by his daughters Nancie (Bob) Willey of Centralia, Washington, Julie Martin of Ponderay, Idaho, Margot (Douglas) Rodgers of Salem, Oregon, daughter-in-law Colleen Howell of Goldendale, Washington, 19 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, niece Laura (Bruce) Day of Bremerton and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Juanita, son Dr. Gregory Howell, daughter Paula Howell, son-in-law Stan Martin, great granddaughter Grace Moerke, sister and brother-in-law Flo and Bill Anderson, and niece Vicky Spore. In lieu of flowers, we suggest a donation to the Sandpoint Senior Center, 820 Main Street, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864. Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint, Idaho is handling the arrangements. Please visit George's online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guestbook.