Gary L. Swanson, 89, of Elkhorn, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on July 25, 2026. He was the son of the late Edward and Sadie (Kenyon) Swanson, born on Oct. 26, 1936, in Hartley, Iowa, where he grew up. Gary was a talented musician, singing in choir and playing drums and string bass.
Gary was united in marriage to his fifth grade sweetheart, Shirley Dahnke, on June 14, 1959. After Gary received his bachelor’s from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, he and Shirley moved to Missoula, Montana, where Gary worked part-time as a cab driver while completing his master’s in microbiology to help support his growing family. Next, Gary and his family lived in Park Forest and later in Wheaton, Illinois, as he began working in the medical industry. In 1975, the family landed in Elkhorn. Beginning in 1976, Gary, together with Shirley, operated Geneva Laboratories, Inc., and founded Preservation Solutions, Inc. in 1994. The businesses provide laboratory services and supplied life-sustaining products to the medical industry worldwide. Propelled by a love of his field, Gary led business operations until his last day. Along with his successful career, he enjoyed making people laugh with a good pun. He was a world traveler and interested in anything scientific.
Gary is survived by his children Mark Swanson and Louis (Kristian Johnsen) Swanson; his nephew Craig (Sue) Dawson and niece Barb (Samuel Thumma) Dawson. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and sister, Joyce (Harlan “Bud”) Dawson.
A funeral for Gary will take place at Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home and Crematory, 730 N. Wisconsin Street, Elkhorn, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 2 p.m. Visitation will take place before the funeral, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Overflow parking will be available at Adam’s Electric, 801 N. Wisconsin Street, Elkhorn. Gary will be laid to rest next to his wife and family in Pleasant View Cemetery in Hartley, Iowa, the following day.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Gary’s name to the Elkhorn Food Pantry, 14 W. Geneva Street, Elkhorn, WI 53121, or to the Salvation Army, 615 Slaters Lane, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.
Gary’s arrangements are under the direction of Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home and Crematory. An online guestbook is available at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.