Steven Duane Swanberg, 72

Steven Duane Swanberg, 72, biked off over hills and mountains to Heaven on June 6, 2024, at the Beehive in Kalispell following a battle with Alzheimer's. Steven was born to Donald and Constance Swanberg Nov. 20, 1951, in Kalispell. 

First, Steve accomplished the "should do things in life." He attended Elrod Elementary School, Kalispell Junior High, and graduated from Flathead High School. 

He played minor league baseball and was a gifted pitcher, making several road tips to tournaments with a proud dad and mom. 

He attended Sunday School and was baptized. 

He moved to Phoenix for 12 years and pursued a Welder's trade. He then moved back to the Flathead Valley for the remainder of his life, working in the Lumber Industry as a Millwright until Retirement. 

And then follows the fun adventures in life. 

He was called Steven Duane, Steve, Steven. Stevie and Uncle Stevie. 

He chose the bachelor life and enjoyed the simple, quiet life residing at his little blue eastside home with two loved cats. 

In his childhood years, be it good or naughty, he romped many hours of fun with Cousin Harvey Hendrickson on the Mendenhall farm overlooking Stillwater River, adjacent to Buffalo Hill Golf Course. Then off to Uncle Dick's Bitterroot cabin with mischievous ongoing fun, hunting and hiking. 

He enjoyed boating and swimming at Grandpa Sid Swanberg's cabin at Lake Five, with all the Swanberg and Gillette cousins. 

Following High School, he was off to Hawaii with a good friend for a few years of working, hiking, surfing and a whole lot of other fun. Then off to Phoenix for education, hiking, biking and hunting. 

Once back in the Flathead Valley he enjoyed family and holidays together. He spent a lot of time at his Lake Five cabin and enjoyed all his Swanberg cousins, having meals and hiking Glacier National Park. 

He mountain biked and snow skied with good friends Fred Baker, Bob Gates, Jack Beaver and Peter Weckwerth. He also enjoyed annual hunting trips with Harvey and Cody. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Constance Swanberg, whom he honored. 

He is survived by his two sisters, Aurelia (Pat) Craig and Vivian (Jim) Atkinson; Aunt Pat Swanberg; six nephews and nieces, Crystal Boyd, Jason Gronley, Brenden (Karyn) Craig, Amy (Olin) Erickson, Wendy (Ryan) Helm and Katie (Jeff) Meredith; 16 great nephews and nieces; and was blessed with 19 cousins and their families. 

We are thankful for all the staff at Edgewood, Beehive Home, and Enhabit Hospice for the care he received. 

Graveside rites will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 28, at Conrad Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life at 1 p.m. at the Lake Five Swanberg cabin.