ULLR Foundation Memorial Gifts

Stephen Swiderski

Nancy Keyes' father

January 11, 2014

$170

-Donors-

(listed alphbetically)

Jan Cady

Nancy Keyes

Joan Roe

Joe & Maryann Schwebel
             

Swiderski, Stephen W. (Steve) age 95, Onamia, Minnesota, passed away on January 11, 2014 at the Onamia Mille Lacs Health Care System. Steve is survived by his wife of 70 years, Susie of Onamia, MN; daughters Nancy Keyes of Edina, MN; Carol Ann Thomas of Dana Point, CA, grandson Chad Nelson; many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Also survived by brother Joe (Elaine) Swiderski, of Minneapolis and Brownsville TX and sister, Stella Forsberg, Rancho Cordova, CA. Preceding him in death were his parents Walter and Mary Swiderski, sister Helen Johnson, and brothers John, Bernard, and Chester Swiderski. Steve, a long time resident of Onamia, was born on December 26, 1918, in Calumet City, Indiana, moving to Minnesota at the age of one.  He met Susie when they were 10 and 8 years old in Johnsdale, MN An accomplished welder, Steve helped build ships in the Cargill ship yards in Savage during World War II.  He subsequently had a milk route for the Onamia Creamery (later becoming the creamery's President), and ran a dairy farm in Onamia.  However his great love was music and he formed the "Star Orchestra" in the mid-40's patterned after his music idol Frankie Yankovic "America's Polka King".  He met Frankie in the mid 60's and they became life-long friends.  Steve and Susie, along with other musicians, were known in a wide area in Minnesota, becoming close friends with those they entertained for decades at Saturday night dances, where polkas, waltzes, and schottisches were the favorites.  There will be a "celebration" of his life on June 7, 2014, 1:00-4:00 pm at the Vet's Club, Onamia, MN.                         VFW Post 955 Leffingwell-Gove Post 38692 US Highway 169 Onamia, MN 56359 Phone: 320-532-4171

Published in Star Tribune on February 10, 2014

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