Virgil J. Swanson

Virgil J. Swanson, of Lanark, IL, passed away Wednesday, February 28, at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport, IL. A private family graveside service will be held. Burial will be in Lanark Cemetery.

Virgil was born May 25, 1953, son of Charles and Dagmar (Dolby) Swanson. He grew up on the family farm, and attended Crystal Lake High School, graduating with the class of 1971. At the age of 14 Virgil took over the farm and worked it on his own until he moved to Lanark in 1974. Soon after Virgil met the love of his life, Wendy Burmeister, after calling the wrong number. Wendy picked up the phone, and the rest was history. Virgil and Wendy married on April 26, 1975. Together they raised two sons and celebrated 49 years of marriage.

Virgil’s life was marked by hard work and commitment to his family. His life was farming and milking cows for 32 years. Virgil wasn’t happy unless there was work to do, and there always was. His one hobby was flying his plane which he kept on the farm. In 1982 the Swanson’s built a runway on the property. Virgil would often take Wendy in the plane to visit friends and family in Crystal Lake.

The heart of Virgil’s life was his family. He was a proud husband, father, and grandfather. He was honest to a fault, and told it how he saw it. Virgil taught his boys responsibility and how to take care of business. His lessons on life live through those he loved most.

Virgil will be dearly missed by his wife, Wendy Swanson of Lanark; two sons, Ben (Samantha) Swanson of Forreston, IL, and Barry Swanson of Janesville, WI; step-granddaughter Laci (Adam) Gruendler of Pecatonica, IL; and grandson Corporal Jacob M. Swanson of Camp Lejeune, NC. Virgil is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Dagmar.