Marvin R. Swanda

Marvin R. Swanda

June 21, 1949 - March 19, 2022

EAGLE, Neb. — Marvin R. Swanda, 72, of Eagle, passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln, Neb., following a long struggle with Covid.

Marv was born June 21, 1949, in Mitchell, S.D., to John and Mary (Shanahan) Swanda. He grew up on the family farm, along with his five brothers by Bonesteel, S.D. He graduated from Bonesteel High School in 1967 and South Dakota State University in 1973 with an agricultural engineering degree. Marv married Margaret (Margie) Dunn at Farmer, S.D., May 24, 1975. They were blessed with two sons, Troy and Jamie. He began work with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 1980 and moved to McCook, Neb., in 1981. Marv retired in 2012, after 30 years of service to the federal government, working with the management of Nebraska-Kansas irrigation and dams. He was the McCook field office manager for the Bureau at the time of his retirement. Upon retirement, Marv and Margie moved to Woodland Hills, near Eagle, Neb. He was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church in Palmyra, where he served a term on the church advisory board. He also served a term on the Woodland Hills Home Association Board.

Marv, along with his dad and brothers, played in a family polka band throughout his earlier years, paying his way through college. Music and family time were an important part of his life. He enjoyed spending time with his brothers and their families, in-laws and families, friends and especially with his sons and their families. He loved cars, sports of almost any kind, watching the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Minnesota Vikings, traveling, working outside, animals and feeding and watching birds (especially purple martins). Marv had a reserved nature and a wonderful sense of humor.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, Margie; sons, Troy (Gina) of Rockville M.D. and Jamie (Kim), of Fairbury, Neb.; grandkids, Tommy, Molly, Jack, Janessa, and Aspen Swanda; brothers, Larry (Carolyn) of Granger, Iowa, Dan (Karen) of Yankton, S.D. and Ken (Marcy) of Custer, S.D.; sister-in-law, Karen Swanda, Huron S.D., Dunn brother and sisters-in-law, numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, John and Gerald Swanda.

Memorials to St. Leo Catholic Church in Palmyra, NE and SOME (So Others Might Eat) in Washington, DC (www.some.org).

Visitation is 6-7 p.m., Friday, March 25, 2022, followed by a Rosary service at 7 p.m., at St. Leo Catholic Church, 330 W 8th Street, Palmyra, Neb. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Saturday March 26, 2022, at the church with burial in St. Leo Catholic Cemetery in Palmyra. Condolences: www.bmlfh.com