SWAINSON
Stanley Norman Swainson, beloved husband of Dorlene Swainson, passed away peacefully at the Bethany Care Centre in Sylvan Lake on January 10, 2012, surrounded by his family at the ripe old age of 85. As a family we would like to express our deep appreciation to the caregivers and staff of the Bethany Care Centre in Sylvan Lake and the Red Deer Regional Hospital Unit 31 for the amazing love and compassion that was shown to our father - they truly are angels among us! Stanley was born on October 1,1926 in Red Deer and grew up on the family farm in the Burnt Lake District west of Red Deer. He attended school at Burnt Lake and was quite the character with his classmates and teachers with his quick wit and fun sense of humor that stayed with him his whole life. He attended High School in Red Deer, excelled in hockey which he loved to play with his brothers and he had a love and reverence for the great outdoors. He served a six month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the lower British Columbia area. Upon his return home he married his sweetheart Dorlene Blades of Red Deer and together they raised eleven children on a mixed dairy farm close to the family farm where he grew up. Initially he farmed with his father, then later he was joined by some of his brothers and then his sons. Stanley was a man of integrity with a great love and respect for his family and fellowman. His motto in life was service and he lived it everyday, serving his family, his church and the community at large, serving on various boards and committees all of his adult life. He was known for his wise words of council and common sense approach to life. Stanley is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Dorlene and their children, Richard (Wendy) of Cardston, Laura Walker (Wayne) of Calgary, David of Calgary, Diane Chiles (Jim) of Red Deer, Stephen (Jackie) of Red Deer, Philip of Grande Prairie, Judy Sorpold (Darcy) of Cardston, son-in-law Joseph Alanko of Calgary, fifty-five cherished grandchildren, and seventy-seven precious great grandchildren. Stanley is also survived by his siblings, Gerry Haldane of Osoyoos, Bryan of Red Deer, Helen Mogenson (Hugh) of Victoria, Pearl Nelson (Glen) of Bentley, Winnie Thompson (Robert) of Lake Wakaw, Jack (Jackie) of Red Deer, sister-in-law Heather Swainson of Red Deer, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, nephews, cousins and a large extended family. Stanley was pre-deceased by four of his children, Paula, Teddy, Wenda (Alanko), Sharon and great-grandson Stephen, his parents Swain and Struna, siblings- Alfred and his wife Alberta, Richard (Dick), Roy, Ruth and brother-in-law William (Bill) Haldane. Interment will be at 11:00 am Saturday the twenty first of January 2012 at Alto-Reste Memorial Gardens with a Memorial Service to follow at 1:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 8 Keast Way, Red Deer, AB. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers please donate to Bethany Care Centre in Sylvan Lake, 4700-47th Street, Sylvan Lake, AB T4S 2M3. Eventide Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.