Noel "Jan" Swanson

Noel Jan Swanson, 85, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 31, 2025, in Healthwin Specialized Care.  Jan was born on November 22, 1939, in Mishawaka, Indiana, to John Sigfried and Huldas (Crandall) Swanson.  He grew up in Mishawaka, where he developed a life-long love for the game of golf. In 1956, Jan placed in the State Junior Golf Tournament at Purdue University. In 1958, he graduated from Mishawaka High School, where he was member of the golf team.  On August 28, 1965, Jan married Colleen Riffel in South Bend, Indiana, who survives.  Jan is also survived by two daughters, Nancy (Rob) Bogol of Boliva, North Carolina and Brenda Swanson of Mishawaka, Indiana; two sons, Rob (Michele) Swanson of Dowagiac, Michigan and Matthew Swanson of Port Orford, Oregon; eight grandchildren, Kalee Swanson, Chelsea (Jacob) Modlin, Emily (Joe) Kaminski, Sara (Farkhod) Kurbonov, Melissa (Brendan) Swanson, Nick Swanson, Tom Swanson, and Kristina Swanson; and one great grandchild, Sirus Modlin.  Jan was preceded in death by his daughter, Julie Swanson and his brother, Larry Swanson.  He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran stationed in France from 1961 – 1964.  While in the Air Force he played as an amateur in the French Golf Open in 1962 and 1963.  In 1968, Jan designed and built the family home on Emmons Road in Clay Township, Indiana, where he and Colleen raised their five children.  They were married for 60 years.  Jan had been employed for 25 years as a Draftsman at D&M Glass and was a Golf Pro at Eberhart and Erskine golf courses for many years.  He was a member of Christ the King Parish, where he served many years as a substitute Usher.  Jan was a warm and loving husband, father, and grandfather, who loved his family dearly.  He was a wonderful caregiver for his daughter, Julie, who died at the age of 21.  Jan had a wonderful sense of humor, he was a regular Blood Donor, and a Purdue Boilermaker fan to the end.  He left this world for a tee-time in the great beyond with Max, Benny, Dave, Rick, and all his other golf buddies from Eberhart, hoping to add a 7th Hole-in-One to his card!  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at a later date.  Dates and times will be posted when confirmed with the family.  Jan will be buried in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorial Contributions should be directed to The Logan Center or Christ the King Catholic Church.  Kaniewski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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