To view a livestream of the service, please access https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDxEeU9kkqnOW3f7DKJhRcg
To view the flowers from John’s service, click here: John Swedlund Flowers
John Swedlund, 75, lifelong Velva resident, died Wednesday, January 26, 2022, in a Minot hospital.
John Alan Swedlund was born April 7, 1946, in Minot, ND, the son of Tony and Lois (Nopp) Swedlund. He was raised and educated in Velva, ND, graduating from Velva High School in 1964. He was drafted in the U.S. Army and honorably served his country, during the Vietnam War, from June 8, 1970, until his discharge from active duty service on January 5, 1972.
John was united in marriage to Diedre ‘Dede’ Kuhl on September 9, 1972, at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva. They have called the community of Velva home their whole married lives. John and Dede were blessed with two children, Jodi and Michael.
John was employed at the Velva Farmer’s Union for 35 years; working in service, delivery and everything in between. John continued his career at Enerbase in their downtown Minot location delivering fuel oil for five years. Not one to retire, John continued his service to the community as a bus driver for Velva Public Schools. He loved the kids and they loved him back! Although his health was declining, John wanted to make sure he could make it home to cover his route.
John was a member of Oak Valley Lutheran Church and was a devoted member of the Velva Fire Department and Velva Ambulance Crews. He served as a board president and later trustee of the North Dakota Fire Association. John was a member of Velva American Legion Post #39 and serving as a past Commander. He also supported the local boy scout troop, making many memories with his son and nephew on their trips to Philmont, NM.
John spent countless hours working with Marlow and Burdett Kittelson initially laying the groundwork for the Star City Golf Course of Velva. He actively participated in the Golf Course Board of directors and served as a greenskeeper. If you wanted to find John, your odds were good finding him at the golf course.
He enjoyed woodworking and golf and time with family filled the rest of John’s busy days. He had many stories about growing up on a farm with 7 siblings and a dog named Hilda. He will be missed deeply by all who were blessed to share in his life, but most by those who knew him as a husband, father, brother, in-law and uncle.
John is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Dede Swedlund, Velva, ND; children Jodi Swedlund, Minot and Mike Swedlund, Bismarck, ND; sisters Mary Johnson, Bismarck and Jean (Bob) Miller, Anchorage, AK; sisters-in-law Iris Swedlund, Velva and Ann Swedlund, Wheaton, MN; brother-in-law David Bendickson, Butte, MT; numerous nieces, nephews and special family members Stacy Anderson and her children Erin, Dakota Levi and Hunter.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Lois Swedlund and siblings Paul Swedlund, Kay Obert, Betty Buseth, Tony Swedlund and Patricia Bendickson.
Celebration of John Swedlund: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva, ND. To view a livestream of the service, please access https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDxEeU9kkqnOW3f7DKJhRcg
Visitation: Monday, January 31, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva, ND
Memorials are preferred to: Oak Valley Lutheran Church or Souris Valley Manor Care.
