Ishpeming – George Otto "Hort" Swanson, age 89, of 410 Michigan St., Ishpeming passed away peacefully on Friday March 23, 2018 at his home.  He had been in the loving care of his family and the U.P. Home Health and Hospice.

George was born January 13, 1929 in Ishpeming the son of the late Otto and Hannah (Kulju) Swanson.  George grew up in Ishpeming and was a graduate of the Ishpeming High School, Class of 1948.  Following high school, George served his country in the United States Air Force at Strategic Air Command Posts in the Air Force Police during the Atomic Energy Commission. During this period, he met the love of his life, Lillian M. Boschi in California, whom he married on July 24, 1958 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming.

George worked for several years for the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. as an underground miner at the Mather "B" and Cliffs Shaft Mines.  In 1965 he decided to venture out on his own and began Swanson Contracting a business he ran for nearly 20 years, specializing in masonry work.

George was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church and of the AmVets.  He was and avid fisherman, especially of brook trout, and a true woodsman enjoying time spent at camp and the homestead, hunting for deer and rabbit.  He coached baseball for many years in Ishpeming from Little League through Legion level and had played baseball for the Swanson Ramblers baseball team.  George will be remembered as a mentor to many young men for the time he spent teaching them either baseball or the building trades.  His grandchildren were the light of his life and he taught them many skills most importantly the art of brook trout fishing.  George was a lifelong supporter of the Ishpeming Hematite's and member of the Ishpeming Booster Club.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Lillian Swanson of Ishpeming, 3 children – Keith (Donna) Swanson of Colorado Springs, Co, Kristen (Mary Jo Doto) Swanson of Ishpeming and Kevin (Heather) Swanson of Ishpeming, 5 grandchildren – Alec, Khora, Hunter, Otto and Lilly Swanson, sister-in-law Nancy Swanson of Ishpeming, special niece Diane Clancey, special nephew Johnny Swanson along with numerous other nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by a son Kenneth Swanson and his sisters and brothers – Wilburt Swanson, Evelyn Garrett, Robert Swanson, Richard Swanson and Donna Ombrello.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00am – 12:00pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming.  A Memorial Service will follow at 12:00PM on Tuesday with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki to officiate. Military Honors will be accorded by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #380.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Ishpeming Booster Club, 319 E. Division St., Ishpeming, MI 49849

George's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance. To listen to George's Memorial service click here .