Ethel Swanson

Cordell LeVere Swanson, 82, of Kingmon Ariz., died June 19, 2015. He was born March 14, 1933 in Dover Township, Buffalo County, Wis., to Chester “Chet” Hartwick and Lurada Marjorie (Fimreite) Swanson. He married Ethel Bell Mann March 2, 1957 at the Western Wedding Manor in Los Angeles, Calif. She was born January 25, 1931 in Dayton, Ohio to William H. and Amanda Bell (Upchurch) Mann. She moved to Las Angeles in the early 1950’s. She died January 1, 2012 in Kingman, Ariz. Cordell lived in Eau Claire, Wis. until his parents moved to California in 1939. He grew up in Los Angeles until he graduated from John Muir Junior High School in 1949. His parents sent him to be with his grandparents, Jules and Julie Bjorgo on their farm in Bennett Valley, near Gilmanton, Wis. Meanwhile, Ethel moved to Los Angeles in the early 1950’s. Cordell was very active in Gilmanton High School and graduated in June 1952. He joined the U.S. Army in 1953 until 1955. He then moved back to Los Angeles to find work where he met and married Ethel. They both worked in Gardena, Calif. Cordell worked at an aviation supplier company until 1975. They took over his Uncle Marvin Fimreite and Grandma Julie Bjorgo’s farm. They ran the farm until 1986. He even bought the first Russian tractor in the area. They moved back to LA and were rehired by their previous employers. Cordell liked farming and Ethel loved to cook, especially desserts. They both did well playing slot machines at the casino. When they both retired, they moved west of Golden Valley, Ariz. and bought a ranch, installed in-ground irrigation system and planted many fruit and other trees. They lived on their ranch from 1999-2006. They then moved into the town of Golden Valley until Ethel died. Cordell is survived by several cousins, including Jeffrey and Jim Peterson. Ethel is survived by two nieces, Penny Birdsell and Juanita Mann; two nephews, Gary Mann and Steve Mann. Together they are survived by good friends, Edna Bjorgo, Duane Gray and his family, Robert and Carol and Elijah Sessions of Golden Valley, Ariz.and godson, Corey Gray. Cordell was preceded in death by his wife and cousin Charlotte Peterson. Ethel was preceded in death by her husband and a brother, Robert J. Mann. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m., July 13, 2021 Evanger Cemetery, rural Independence. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ethel Swanson, please visit our flower store.