Garlen Joel Schwan, age 82, died after a 3-month battle with Esophageal Cancer, at The Emeralds in Grand Rapids, MN.

Garlen was born to Gabriel and Carol Schwan in Kenmare, ND on December 23, 1942. while his father was serving in WW II. He attended school in Mohall, ND and graduated in 1961. From there he attended North Dakota School of Science, graduating in 1963 as an Electrician. His first job was with Baker Electric in Cando, ND. While there he enlisted in the National Guard and served for 6 years. Garlen then moved to Elk River MN and worked for United Power, now Great River Energy, until his early retirement in 1998.

Too young to sit at home he found a job at Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Coleraine, MN as a ranger. He did a lot of volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, local food shelves, Zion dinners, Zion painting crew, and Camp Hiawatha Church Camp.  He flew R/C airplanes and shot Trap in Grand Rapids and Arizona. Garlen loved to grow Roses and was very proud of them!

Preceding him in death were his parents Gabe and Carol Schwan of Doran, MN; in-laws Garfield and Ellen Arneson of Grand Rapids, MN; brothers-in-law David Arneson of Mesa, AZ, Robert Hecht of Cloquet, MN; grandson Brett Feigum of Sioux Falls, SD; great-grandsons Liam Feigum, and Fritz Mueske; great-granddaughter Cloe Mueske.

Survived by his wife of 49 years Shirley of Grand Rapids, MN; daughters Kimberlee Mueske of Grand Rapids MN, Konnie Feigum (Jerry Clement) of Mesa AZ; son Kevin (Brenda) Holm of Pengilly, MN; grandchildren Dwight (Stephanie) Feigum of Sioux Falls, SD, Karl Mueske of Campbell, MN, Kerstin Mueske (Skylar Olson) of Hibbing, MN; great-grandchildren Karter Mueske of Deer River, MN, Karter Feigum of Sioux Falls, SD, Kolton Mueske, Campbell, MN; brother Mark (Jane) Schwan of Christine, ND; sister-in-law Margaret "Peggy" Hecht of Cloquet, MN.

Garlen's words reflecting on his life: "I am happy that my life included a great job, good friends, a pension, a wife, and 3 kids to raise, much more than I expected to have. We traveled to many places and saw a lot! I am sorry my life will end this way, but I will see you all again!".

Visitation will be Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MN with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 AM. Chaplain Richie Danielson will officiate. Interment will be in the spring in Blackberry Cemetery, Grand Rapids, MN.