Kenneth Elroy Sward

Kenneth Sward, 86, of Belview, passed away on Friday, December 30, 2016 at the Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM Thursday at Grace Lutheran Church in Belview. Visitation will be from 4 – 7 PM on Wednesday at Grace Lutheran with a prayer service at 6:45 PM and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. The Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association is caring for the family.   Kenneth Elroy Sward was born on August 12, 1930 in Paxton Township, Redwood County to Knute and Dena (Schjenken) Sward. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He attended country school and graduated from Redwood Falls High School in 1948. After high school, Kenneth took a short course at the University of Minnesota. Kenneth enlisted into the United States Army in 1952 and served his country during the Korean War before being honorably discharged in 1955. On June 10, 1962, Kenneth was united in marriage to June (VonMosch) Hansen in Nashua, Iowa. They made their home in rural Redwood Falls and eventually rural Belview. Kenneth farmed until 1980. He then worked for Specialty Engineering in Redwood Falls until retiring in 1997. Kenneth was involved with the Disabled American Veterans, VFW, American Legion as Commander and other offices and many other county councils. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, serving as usher and on the church board. He enjoyed horses, old cars, motorcycles, playing guitar, country music, traveling, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family and friends. Kenneth passed away on Friday, December 30, 2016 at the Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park at the age of 86. He is survived by his children Michael (Jean) Hansen of Weston FL, Stan (significant other Wendy Fox) Hansen, Mrs. Mark (Raynette) Hansen of Franklin, Gayle Robinson of Rochester, Debra (significant other Aldon Iverson) Butler of Thief River Falls and Kim Sward of Mankato; grandchildren Heather (Gustavo) Zambrano, Adam Hansen, Shannon Hansen, Tanya (Gerardo) Vargas, Sarah (Michael) Liddy, Joshua (Natasha Shultz) Hansen, Lesley Robinson, Ryan (Megan Panitzke) Robinson, Lance Butler, Angela (Michael) Kimes and Kory Sward; great grandchildren Zachary, Hunter, Danielle, James, Noah, Isabella, Chase, Dalton, Paxton, Riley, Laura and James; and additional extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife June, son Mark Hansen, brothers Gerald and Donald Sward and sisters Doris Wittwer and Ruth Busack. Blessed be his memory.