Carl Albert Swanson, age 99, of Owatonna, passed away on Sunday, May 10, 2015 at Koda Living Community, Owatonna. He was surrounded by his children, daughter in law, and granddaughters Stacey, Julie, and Lori. Carl was born July 25, 1915 to Carl Albert Julious Swanson and Emma Marie (Nee Chelberg) Swanson in Cannon Falls, MN. Carl graduated from the Cannon Falls area schools and then graduated from the University Of Minnesota School Of Agriculture. One of Carl's first jobs was testing milk produced on the farm and one of his clients was Orie Ims. When testing milk for Orie he also met two of Orie's brothers, Gene and Vernon Ims. Gene and Vernon told Carl that they had a sister that he should meet. Carl and Berniece met and dated for a period of time. On September 30, 1939 Carl and Berniece were married at Urland Lutheran Church in rural Sogn. They started their married life farming North of Kenyon, MN where their son Bruce was born. They moved their farming operation to a farm South of Kenyon and moved again to a farm in the Sogn Valley area at which time their daughter Phyllis was born. In 1946 they moved to Wastedo, MN and a short time later moved to Red Wing, MN. In 1956 Carl and Berniece moved to Waseca, MN where they made their residence for the next 46 years. Carl worked for Minnesota Valley Breeders breeding cows in the Waseca area. One of his interests was flying and he became a member of the Waseca's Civil Air Patrol Club and enjoyed flying the club plane. He also had an interest in politics and in 1969 ran for Mayor of Waseca. He won the election and was the Mayor of Waseca for a number of years. Upon retirement he worked at Walmart in Waseca and then started working for the Waseca Country Club as a groundskeeper. In their retirement years Carl and Berniece maintained their home in Waseca, spending significant amounts of time at Lake Francis at Elysian, MN which he enjoyed immensely and their winters in Alamo, TX, their home away from home. Throughout these years he enjoyed the company of his brothers-in-law and their wives, his brother, sister-in-law and husband, his grandchildren, great grandchildren and other friends and acquaintances, they all enjoyed many good times together. He was preceded in death by his wife Berniece Swanson; his parents; and his brother Merlyn Swanson. Survivors include his children, Bruce (and Sharon) Swanson of Pine Island, MN; and Phyllis Kaderlik of Owatonna; seven grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be his great grandsons, Brad Koenen, Jacob, Logan and Mitchell Sanborn, Dylan and Logan Proechel, Matt and Nicholas Steel with honorary pallbearers being Will Dunning, Wyatt and Mackenzie Swanson, Emily Koenen, Morgan Proechel, Hunter and Brooke Steel and Luke and Lane Webber. Visitation will be at Trinity Lutheran Church on Thursday, May 14, 2015 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 1:30 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church with The Reverend Christopher Leach officiating. Interment will be in the Woodville Cemetery in Waseca. Arrangements by Michaelson Funeral Home. Visitation: 05/14/2015 12:30 05/14/2015 13:30 Service: 05/14/2015 13:30