Wally Swanson
Wally Swanson was born on March 22, 1928, in Everett, Washington, to Lloyd and Lillian Swanson. He was baptized on May 6, 1928, at the Swedish Covenant Church. His early years were spent at Silver Lake near Snohomish, Washington. Wally's official name was Lewellyn Swanson, but, as many of us know, he didn't care much for that name. His little brother, Norris, couldn't quite pronounce it, and so "Wally" was born.
In 1929, when Wally was just a year old, his family made a life-changing move to Petersburg, Alaska, following a tragedy in the family. His uncle Chester Holm had passed away in a hunting accident, and Wally's parents took over the family business, Petersburg's first telephone exchange. Wally spent his childhood enjoying the simple joys of life on Mitkof Island-rowing skiffs, scouting, church picnics, and the great outdoors.
By the time Wally was 14, he was already helping out with the telephone switchboard, answering emergency calls, and even making ambulance pickups in a panel truck. That was Wally-always hard working and responsible.
But life wasn't all work. Wally was an athlete, too-captaining the Southeast Alaska championship basketball team in 1944. And it was at that time he first caught the eye of Colleen "Koke" McDonald. Koke was working on the telephone switchboard when she met Wally, and the two of them quickly became inseparable and were married in the unfinished sanctuary of the Petersburg Lutheran Church.
Wally and Koke set out on their honeymoon, which, by the way, included her parents-Ann and Mac McDonald-who decided to join them on a camping trip down the narrows. Imagine that, a honeymoon with the in- laws! They eventually welcomed four children: Robert, Thomas, Carol, and John.
In the early 1950s, Wally and Koke built their home on Wrangell Avenue in Petersburg. It wasn't a simple process; ferrying materials across Frederick Sound by barge, shoveling gravel by hand, and hauling it up the gangplank.
As a young man, he worked at the Scow Bay Cannery and for the Kayler-Dahl Fish Company. Eventually, he joined Icicle Seafoods, where he became a key figure in the company's success. He was the one they turned to when they needed advice on building a cannery. In fact, he famously drew up the plans for the Seward Fisheries cannery on a dinner napkin, and that's exactly what they built.
Wally had a bit of a competitive streak and always pushed himself-and everyone around him-to do their best. Wally loved to hunt with friends and family, which put food on the table for his growing family. He also found great joy in berry picking in the muskegs of Mitkof Island.
Another of Wally's passions was their Cabin House, a family project in Duncan Canal. He always had a plan for the family; work came first, then the fun: falling trees, hauling and splitting wood, setting crab pots, picnics on the beach, and playing dominoes.
In addition to their time in Alaska, Wally and Koke enjoyed the warmth of the California desert, becoming "snowbirds" in Thousand Palms, CA. In retirement, Wally could also be found on his sons' fishing boats, enjoying their successes.
Wally always put family first. He loved children; his favorite moments included holding babies in his lap and rocking them to sleep. He was constantly asking about his grandchildrens' lives and was so proud of them. He passed down a legacy of hard work, loyalty, and devotion to those he loved.
Wally was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Lillian Swanson, his sister-in-law Mary Ann Swanson, and his niece Leslie Smith. He is survived by his wife, Colleen, of Petersburg; his brother, Norris, of Shelton, Washington; his four children-Robert (Teresa) Swanson, Thomas (Kerry) Swanson, Carol (John) McCabe, and John (Miriam) Swanson; his grandchildren-Jennifer (Matt) Bryner, Adam Swanson, Ben Swanson, Leah Swanson, Annie (Kent) Chalmers, Caitlin (Cory) Smith, Logan Swanson, Keely (Aaron) Hankins, and Jael Swanson; his nephew, Gregg (Trisha) Swanson; 11 great-grandchildren, and 3 great- great-grandchildren.
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