Obituary of O. Robert Swensen

The Life of a Godly Man O. Robert Swensen, “Bob” to his family and friends, 87 years old, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 30, 2021. He is survived by his beautiful bride of 67 years, Joann (Jonie), sister Grace Marie, daughters Debra (Tom) Muller, Donna (Mark) Jacobs, Dawn (Jon) Marquardt and Nancy (Jonathan) Guhl, 14 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Esther Swensen and grandson, Andrew Jacobs. Bob was born on June 1, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois to a family who loved the Lord. He was very committed and involved at all the churches he attended, Salem EV Free Church in Chicago, Winnetka Bible Church, Our Savior EV Free Church, Wheeling and most recently The Chapel, Mundelein. Bob accepted the Lord as his Savior as a young boy at camp. He made the decision to follow God wholeheartedly when he was a young father with three small children after listening to the Scottish Men’s Chorus sing ‘I want my life to tell for Jesus.’ Throughout his life he served the Lord faithfully. He taught Sunday School, AWANA Clubs, and served on various church boards and at Lydia Children’s Home. He was an elder and deacon and he and Jonie visited those who were sick and in the hospital. He loved welcoming newcomers to church and having people over to their home. Bob was a bricklayer by trade and began his apprenticeship right out of high school. He loved to sing and encourage others while they worked. He did some building for different mission organizations in Switzerland and Trinidad. He also really enjoyed sports and cheered for the Chicago Cubs, Bears and Bulls. Bob loved his ‘bride’ Jonie whom he met at Schurz High School in Chicago. They were married on June 1, 1953. He loved dearly his girls, their husbands, his grandchildren and their spouses, and every one of his great grandchildren. He received great pleasure in watching them in all of their activities like sports and school musical programs. He loved spending time with his family in person or on FaceTime. We praise God for this wonderful man and the Godly heritage he has left behind. A memorial service is scheduled on Easter Sunday at 4 pm at the Bayfront Center YMCA 750 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. A service will be held in Illinois at a later date.