Oscar T. ’Bud’ Swanson

Oscar "Bud" Swanson, 86, of Moorhead, died Tuesday, December 20, 2005, in Rosewood on Broadway, Fargo, ND.Bud was born on October 23, 1919 in Moorhead to Ole and Thea Svenkeson Swanson. He grew up and attended school in Moorhead, graduating from Moorhead High School in 1937. On December 9, 1942 he married Lois Nelson. In 1961 Bud and Erv Backlund opened Erv and Bud's Service Station on the corner of 5th and Main in Moorhead. Together they operated the service station until their retirement in 1989. The day of their retirement was declared "Erv and Bud's Day" by the mayor.Bud served in the United States Army from 1942-1945, including time in the European Theatre of Operations in WWII. He attained the rank of Private First Class. During his service he was honored to be seated at a dinner table with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.He is survived by one son, David Swanson, Moorhead, MN; one daughter, Nancy Jo Mattson and her husband, Grant, Anoka, MN; one sister, Luella Ulness, Edmonds, WA; one brother, Carl Swanson, Moorhead, MN; sisters-in-law, Ella Swanson, Moorhead, MN, Adell Swanson, Edmonds, WA, Marj Froemke and her husband, Virgil, Moorhead, MN, and Georgianne Stenerson and her husband, Robert, Moorhead, MN. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Robert Lori Swanson, Jason Jessie Swanson, Shane Swanson, and Nicole Chris Sims, three great-grandchildren and his daughter's extended family of three children.He is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 45 years, Lois; and three brothers, Gunder, Sam and Sig Swanson.The thread of his kind and gentle spirit quietly wove through the fabric of many lives enriching the pattern and making us stronger. He will be missed by family and many friends.