Douglas Swift

Douglas Raymond Swift, age 77 of Balaton, passed away Monday, July 31, 2023 at Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy. Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 7, 2023 at Garvin Congregational Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church. Burial is in Bethel Cemetery near Garvin. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Douglas Raymond Swift was born April 5, 1946 in Tracy, Minnesota, the second born of four children of Verna Pearl (Engesser) and Raymond Douglas Swift. Doug was a member of the Garvin Congregational Church. He was a graduate of Balaton High School class of 1964. Doug was a member of the Rock Lake Saddle Club from grade school through high school. He and his dad trained his horse, Champ, and were involved in showmanship events for several years. Doug was also a member of the Balaton High School football team. He also helped on the farm and worked for other local farmers while in high school. Following high school, Doug enlisted in the Army National Guard and served for eight years from 1964-1972. Doug was a self-taught drummer with exceptional rhythm, and played in the JD Brothers Band. His nieces loved hearing him play at “Balaton Days” in the summer. In 1968, Doug married Yvonne Miller and this marriage later dissolved. Doug worked for a sailboat company on Lake Minnetonka. He then worked for Cargill in their maintenance department. He also worked for the city of Minneapolis parking lot systems. His last years of employment were in maintenance at the Medina Country Club where he especially liked working with his nephew, Jason. Doug was an avid sports fan of the Vikings, Twins, and Gophers. At the mere mention of Notre Dame, Doug ended phone calls. He was a Gunsmoke fanatic, and liked playing cards – especially when he won. Doug was a gardener and was proud of his produce. On July 11, 2015, Doug married Beverly (Anderson) Sullivan. Their marriage provided a sense of peace and happiness to Doug. They resided in Balaton amidst their high school friends.

Doug is survived by his wife, Bev; daughters Lesa (Delroy) Thompson and Mindy Rehbein; grandchildren: Malia, Devyn and Isaac; stepchildren: Kimberly (Sheldon) Guza, John (Monica) Sullivan, Katrina Sullivan (Scott), Dan (Christine) Sullivan, Matthew (Sarah) Sullivan; step grandchildren: Kale, Collin, Harley, Natalie, Kaden, Connor, Olivia, Gwen, Eleanor, Frederick, Gerald, Gary, and Morrigan; siblings: Sandy Wiseman and Jeff (Lori) Swift; siblings-in-law: Kathy Swift, Ron (Roxana) Anderson, Rodger (Marlys) Anderson, Charles (Judy) Anderson; aunts: Shirley Martin, Jeanene Swift, Virginia Swift, and Betty Engesser; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, and brother Steve.