Ronald Svard

It is with profound sadness that the family of Ronald (Ron) Svard, 66, of Breckenridge, Minnesota, announces his death at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND, on August 28, 2017, after a struggle with cancer. Friends and family may visit from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., on Friday, September 8, at the Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge, Minnesota, followed by a Remembrance Service at 5:30 p.m.  Burial will be private.

Ron was born on September 14, 1950, the middle of five children of the late Walter and Pearl (Nordling) Svard of Alvarado, Minnesota.  Ron graduated from Alvarado High School and attended North Dakota State University prior to being drafted to serve in the Army in 1970.  He served with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam and was the recipient of numerous medals and awards during his tour of duty.

Having been exposed to so much death in Vietnam, Ron valued life to the fullest and was determined to live life on his own terms.  As a construction supervisor, he travelled throughout the country overseeing building projects and, with his partner Lanette, loved to explore the various regions of the country where he worked.  He enjoyed scuba diving, learned to fly, was an excellent dancer, and spent countless hours designing projects for, and renovating, his much-loved cabin at Upper Red Lake.

To his friends and neighbors, he was warm and thoughtful, had a big heart, and was always willing to help with their projects.  To his family, he was generous with his time and his creative talent for building and design, was the keeper of the lefse-making tradition, was always ready to laugh, and was a great storyteller about his childhood time on the family farm with Dad.

He is survived by his beloved partner, Lanette Stollenwerk and her two children, his siblings, Anita Hellie and her husband Charles, of Northfield, Minnesota, Lois Svard, and her husband Peter Karl Kresl, of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Renee Svard of St. Paul, Minnesota, Carl Svard, and his wife Joan, of Lakewood, Colorado, and several nieces and nephews.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire, New Mexico, which honors America’s veterans and the sacrifices they have made.  www.vietnamveteransmemorial.org