Dr. Wayne Morris Swenson

Wayne Morris Swenson died at home June 21st, 2024, in Bismarck, ND. He was 93. He was born October 13, 1930, in Dickinson, ND to Lucille Ward Swenson and Roy L. Swenson.

He attended Dickinson public schools, graduating in 1948. During his college years, Swenson entered the U.S. Navy serving during the Korean War from 1951 to 1954. He earned a Master's Degree in Chemistry from NDSU in 1957. He entered UND School of Medicine and graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1961. His surgical residency followed at Rush-Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago from 1961 to 1966. Dr. Swenson practiced General and Vascular surgery in North Dakota for forty years. He served on the State Board of Medical Examiners and was Professor of Surgery at the UND School of Medicine, retiring as emeritus in 2005.

A Fellow of The American College of Surgeons, he served as Governor of the North Dakota chapter for nine years. He was a member of numerous professional societies, serving as national president of the Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery in 1994. Wayne enjoyed the wilderness and canoed western rivers for many years. He played the piano beautifully and performed with various bands from Paul Hanson's Band in Fargo to Al's Big Band and Vic Lindelow's Dixieland Band in Bismarck. An Eagle Scout, Swenson spent time as camping chairman during the years his son Erik was in scouting. Dr. Swenson loved the practice of medicine, he had a wonderful sense of humor, and he was a great supporter of the arts.

He is survived by his wife, Lois Haukebo Swenson, his son Dr. Erik Swenson (Dr. Lubna Piracha), his daughters Britt Swenson (Laura Hundley), Kari Swenson Riely (Dr. Gregory Riely) and grandchildren Aaron, Matthew, Anna, Amy, Kaia, Talya, Siri and Cora. He is preceded in death by his two daughters, Maren Swenson Waxenberg (Michael Waxenberg), Taya Swenson Schmid (Len Schmid) and his three siblings Joyce Bloom and Ron and Ward Swenson.

A family gathering at the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery in Mandan will honor his passing. 

The family welcomes memorials to the UND School of Medicine and The Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra.