Craig Grant Swanson

Craig Grant Swanson, 73, of Bonita Springs, FL and Annandale, MN, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice in Bonita Springs. He had been a seasonal resident of Bonita Springs for the last 20 years. He was born April 29, 1942 in Hutchinson, MN, the son of Carl and Clara (née Gunnerson) Swanson. He grew up in Bloomington, MN and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1960. In 1964, he married Anette Nelson. In 1965, he became a police officer for the Edina Police Department. In 1967 he enlisted in the U. S. Air Force and attained the rank of Captain before his discharge in 1970. In April of 1977 he became the Chief of Police in Edina, serving until his retirement in 1994. Craig loved his country and loved police work. Since retiring, he could be found fishing and boating in the backwaters of the Bonita Springs area and Bass Lake in Annandale, MN. Fishing was always a passion, along with being outdoors and enjoying nature, birds and sunsets. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and attending their events and shows. Another hobby was tinkering around in his shed, inventing things, repurposing antiques and going garage sale-ing to find new projects. He was a volunteer at Café of Life in Bonita Springs. He was 100% Swedish and loved lutefisk, herring and sour cream raisin pie…and he was known for his blue eyes. Among his fond memories were his five week camping trip to Alaska, and on Bass Lake, the many pontoon rides with friends and family and getting many people up on water skis. Mr. Swanson is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Anette E. (née Nelson); his beloved daughter, Karna (Joseph) Holub of Blaine, MN; and his three grandchildren, Tayler, Sofia and Victoria. He was preceded in death by his son, Eric Grant Swanson in 2011. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Holcomb-Henry-Boom-Purcell Funeral Home, 515 Highway 96 West, Shoreview, MN 55126. Friends are invited to greet the family from 10:00 until the time of the service. A reception will follow the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Café of Life, www.cafeoflife.org or to Christus Victor Lutheran Church, Victory Park Fund, www.christusvictorfl.org. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home.

Craig Grant Swanson

April 29, 1942 - December 29, 2015