George & Ruth Swanson

George, son of Carl Swanson and Amanda Runquist, was born on August 22, 1918 in Tyndell , Manitoba and his wife Ruth (Dahl), daughter of John Dahl and Klara Bjerke, was born on June 15, 1922 on a homestead south of Watson.

Carl Swanson and Amanda emigrated from Sweden after the birth of their first child. The couple moved to a just west of Wadena with five of their children in 1921. Their youngest child, Gladys, was born in Wadena.

 John Dahl emigrated from Norway in 1903 when he was 20 years old. He walked from the end of the railway, Sheho, to Humbolt. He later settled south of Watson. John met his wife to be in 1912 on a visit to his native country. Klara (Bjerke) emigrated from Norway in 1914 and shortly after the couple was married.

George and Ruth were married on November 15, 1950 at the Watson United Church . They resided on George’s parents homestead just west of Wadena. In 1962 Ruth’s nephew, Doug, came to live with them. The couple happily raised him until he graduated from Wadena where he continued farming with George till 1999. He still lives in the close to his family.

Ruth started working at Viola’s Dress Shop in Watson at age 18. By age 21 Ruth had bought the store. Five years later, she had opened a second store in Wadena. Ruth sold her store in Watson when the couple moved to Wadena after marrying. Ruth sold her store in Wadena and retired in 1976.

George’s heart was tied to land which he farmed for his whole life until 1999. He also was very proud of the old Wadena CPR Station that he restored in 1975. The station was moved out to the couple’s farm in a cove of trees in sight of Highway 5. This must have been a perfect location since they were known to have many get-togethers with their many friends.

George was always a very down to earth man. For example, when he first asked Ruth to dance she refused as she didn’t think she was dressed for such things. He then told her “Your only in Wadena” in order to convince. Not long after this incident the couple was married.