Harold Swaney

Harold Kent Swaney passed away peacefully at the Dougherty Hospice House surrounded by family on Sunday, February 11 at the age of 70. He was born on March 23rd, 1947 to Marian Haugstad and Kenneth Swaney in Sioux Falls, SD. Harold married his beloved wife, Sandra Swaney (Hennings) on June 11, 1964. They spent their early years in Sioux Falls, where Harold kept busy working at Franklin Jack and Jill Grocery Store (1962), Sioux Falls City Street Dept. (1964-1966), Anderson Flower Shop (1966), Oberg Construction (1965-1966), and Rendering Co. (1966-1986). Harold moved to Hayti, SD (1986-1988) and then Erwin, SD (1988-2007) where he ran his own trucking business from 1986 until May, 2009 when he retired. Many will reminisce about him and his trucking days, picturing his truck with a big red box on the back where he hauled for a rendering company based out of De Smet, SD. It was only a matter of days after retirement when he decided that he needed to do something to keep busy, so he began working for Ultimed, where he met an amazing family of co-workers who drew close to him because of his jokes and contagious loveable qualities. Not long after he moved to De Smet, SD in 2007, he garnered the nickname the bike man. He would spend his free time gathering, fixing, and giving away bikes to children who did not have one. He would also get many knocks on his door by children who would come to his house to see if they could fix a flat or broken chain, and he was always there to save the day. All in all, he gave away hundreds of bikes and brought joy to so many families. Outside of his hobby of working on bikes, he spent many summer weekends camping with family and playing cards whenever there was a free moment to do so. He will be remembered for his loveable personality, contagious humor, and impeccable work ethic. Anyone who had the chance to meet him knows he would do anything to make you smile, and he would always succeed. Harold was preceded in death by his mother Marian Haugstad, father Kenneth Swaney, son Kenneth Swaney, grandson Justin Swaney, grandson baby Silas Swaney. Harold is survived by his beloved wife Sandra Swaney, brothers Ron (Cindy) Haugstad and Marc Cappell, sister Lori (Jeff) Hofer, sister-in-laws Ellen (Bob) VanNoort, Patty (Bud) Larrabee and Deb Hennings, daughter SueLynn Swaney, son Randy Swaney, daughter-in-laws Dawn Swaney and Dawnr Jones, grandchildren (raised by Harold and Sandra) Bill (Kelly) Swaney, Robert (Loni) Swaney, Beth (fianc Eli Westendorf) Swaney, and Kasandra Swaney, grandchildren Steven (Kalia) Swaney, Zachery Swaney, and Kaihley Benike, great-grandchildren Bryce, Brayden, Karson, Kayleb, Clayten, Emily, Aliva, Jacob, and Carly.