Edwin Lawrence Swalling
August 6, 1922 – October 17, 2015.
Edwin Lawrence Swalling, age 93, passed away on October 17, 2015. He was born on August 6, 1922 to Jacob and Mathilda Swalling. He was one of ten closely bonded children. He was raised in Poulsbo, Washington, graduating from North Kitsap High School in 1939. He was a boat builder, carpenter, house mover, machinist, toolmaker, model maker and beloved family man. At the young age of 16, he was president of the Dry Row at the Seattle Pike Place Market where his family sold farm goods.
In 1940, 18-year-old Ed built his first house, which is still inhabited. He married Esther Fullerton on December 16, 1944. They had three children: Linda, Diane and Walter. He was a longtime member of Vinland Lutheran Church in Poulsbo. In 1960, the church was destroyed by fire and Ed helped rebuild the church. He was active in the establishment of Lutherhaven Bible Camp in Bremerton. He proudly worked at Naval Torpedo Station Keyport for 28 years, earning several commendations. In addition to his avid love of hunting, he enjoyed attending auctions at Stokes Auction, tending his large dahlia garden and sharing bountiful bouquets with family and friends. His wife Esther preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death were his parents, seven brothers and two sisters.
Ed married Blanche Venn on November 14, 1995. He lived in Auburn, Washington for the past 20 years. After learning to golf at age 72, he and Blanche enjoyed many hours on the golf course. They also traveled extensively in their RV and abroad. In his late 80’s, he used his keen mind to develop a formula to determine the radius of an arc for use by a construction company. He became an active member of Messiah Lutheran Church and was a regular volunteer in the church’s weekly food bank. He carried on a family tradition and hosted an annual family reunion for many years. He is survived by his wife Blanche Venn Swalling and family. He is also survived by daughters Linda (Heinrich) Fettig and Diane Olsen and son Walter (Penny) Swalling; grandchildren Sabrina (Harry) Garr, Stephanie (Shane) Salisbury, Marissa (David) Wachter, Mark (Kaitlyn) Olsen, Brent (Wendy) Swalling, and Keli (Ryan) Patrick; great-grandchildren Austin, Shaylee, Katy, Della, Maya, Anna, Olivia, Kyler and Sam; and many nieces and nephews. Services were held October 22, 2015 at Messiah Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to the Vinland Lutheran Church, Messiah Lutheran Church Food Bank in Auburn or your favorite charity. He was a good man. He will be missed.
