Dean Swanson, 95

We lost a great man, husband, father and friend. Dean Swanson passed away in his home in Arvada, Colo., on Aug. 17, 2021. He was 95 years old.

Dean was born July 17, 1926 in Detroit to parents Irene and Allen Swanson.

He entered the Marine Corps at age 17 and proudly served in both World War II and the Korean War. After returning from Korea to Quantico, Va., where he was to enter Officer Candidate School, he met the love of his life, Zina Madison. Zina lived and worked in Washington, D.C. After just 19 days they were married in Quantico, and they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on July 7 of this year.

They made their home first in Denver, where he graduated from Denver University. They eventually returned to his homeland in Montana. Dean forged a successful career in the oil and gas business and was also active in the Billings community serving on the Oil and Gas Commission as well as the YMCA Board. He had many passions outside of his career, one being his love for animals, especially horses. He was very active in the Sheriff's Posse, and a true highlight for him was being able to ride in the Great Montana Centennial Cattle Drive of 1989 from Roundup to Billings. Dean's greatest passion, however, was his wife and two children. He was beloved by all who knew him.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Irene and Allen, and his stepsister Shirley as well as many other relatives he kept in touch with through the years.

He is survived by his wife, Zina (Madison) Swanson, and two children, Douglas Arthur (Coni) Swanson and Shawna Lee (Douglas) Lehner; two grandchildren, Kelsey (Justin) Kempfert and Dylan Christopher Swanson and great-grandson Ryder Sage Umhey.

A celebration of life will take place at 2 p.m. Oct 2, 2021 at MorningStar Senior Living, 17351 W. 64th Ave., Arvada, Colo.