Kevin Dean Swanson was born June 26, 1957 in Shenandoah, Iowa to Merrill and Etta (Swift) Swanson. He died June 17, 2007 at his home in Shenandoah at the age of 49.

Kevin loved sports and music. He sang with the NPI singers. He especially enjoyed playing the drums. He was very good, although he never took lessons. The Special Olympics were very important to him also. Over the years, he won many medals and ribbons. Kevin loved people and enjoyed sitting outside and waving at everyone as they went by.

Kevin was preceded in death by his grandparents, Raymond and Inez Swanson and John and Susie Swift. He is survived by his parents, Merrill and Etta Swanson of Shenandoah, IA; sister Nancy Wilson and her husband Darrell of Quincy, IL; nephews, Blake and Logan Wilson of Quincy, IL; Aunt, Mavis Herzberg and husband Darrel of Villisca, IA; Uncle, John Swift and wife Gloria of Wheatland, WY; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 20, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at the Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home in Shenandoah. Words of comfort were given by Rev. Jack Langley. Vocalist was Kathy Langley and organist was Judy Lundgren. Musical selections were "You Raise Me Up", "Victory In Jesus" and "God Be With You Til We Meet Again".

Attending the memory register were Mavis Herzberg and Gloria Swift. Caring for the flowers were Shirley Hart, Nadine Lundgren and Susie Tillman. Memories from the family were given by Chris Herzberg. The scripture reading was given by Amy Fick. Casket bearers were Tim Tillman, Steve Falk, Jr., Darrel Herzberg, Darrell Wilson, Johns Swift and Kris Kirby.

Honorary casket bearers were all of Kevin's friends at NPI, Keith McCall, Steve Herzberg, Leland and Pat Tillman, Jim and Joyce Long, John and Rose Walter, Blake and Logan Wilson, Dwight and Judy Lundgren, Bill and Diane Shipley, Chris, Jami and Landon Herzberg, Betty Rowe, Jim and Bonnie Wilson, Pat Sorenson, Jeff and Diane Anderson, Wally and Barbara Johnson, Howard and Mary Alice Johnson, the Dwight Swift family, Paula Swift and family, and Darwin Swift and family.

Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah. Memorials in Kevin's name are being directed to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Shenandoah, Nishna Productions Inc. in Shenandoah, or to the I Will Not Worry Foundation. The Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.