Peter William Swanson

Peter William Swanson passed away Thursday, October 17, 2024, at the family home in Onalaska, Washington at the age of 33. Peter was born October 26, 1990, in Gillette, Wyoming to Ronald and Janet Bagley Swanson and was the fourth of six children.

Peter lived on the Swanson ranch south of Gillette and attended schools in Campbell County. When not in school, he spent most of his time playing and working on the ranch. When he was old enough, Peter joined Cub Scouts, then Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Peter loved being outdoors his whole life.

At the beginning of his Junior year of High School, Peter decided he was not going to work for minimum wage in a fast-food restaurant and enrolled in the Life Saving class which met at 6 a.m. Finishing the course before Christmas, Peter went to work part-time at Campbell County Parks and Rec as a lifeguard before school started in January. Graduating in January the following year, Peter went full-time, working as a lifeguard as well as doing maintenance on the pool. Later, Peter attended welding classes at Gillette Campus where he became a certified welder. Peter usually worked the 4 a.m. shift at the pool, and one of Peter’s favorite activities while working at the pool was cooking hot dogs for the Parks and Rec Fourth of July picnic.

 In 2014, Peter moved to Ogden, Utah to enroll in Weber State College, hoping to become a welding inspector, part of the engineering program. When his lifeguard job on campus fizzled, Peter went to work at one of the local hospitals as a janitor. This job not only paid better but had good health benefits which Peter needed as his health was going downhill.

Frustrated with his inability to understand calculus and the school not recognizing his welding certification, Peter left Weber State and enrolled in baking classes at Ogden Tech, he loved baking. Completing the course in record time Peter tried working in the food industry. The heat of the kitchens would dehydrate him, and he would end up in the hospital, then lose his job.

One highlight during this time of trials for Peter was his calling to serve in the Ogden Temple as an Ordinance Worker.

In February 2020, just in time for Covid-19, Peter moved to Everett, Washington where he lived with his dad and stepmother. Declining health took its toll on his work in various baking and welding jobs. Peter found solace in working in his water garden, and with his dog Molly and the friends they made while walking. One of the highlights of Peter’s life took place in January 2024, when he spent two weeks in Peru. 

 Returning home to Everett Peter was wracked with back pain and was finally diagnosed with Neuro-endocrine cancer with tumors in some of the lymph glands. Chemotherapy relieved the pain enough for Peter to visit many family members, but the cancer returned with a vengeance. When he was finally released from the hospital to go into home hospice care, Peter announced he wanted to go home to the new house in the country. Peter credited the cancer for bringing him closer to Christ and helping him understand some principles of the Gospel more clearly.

 Peter was preceded in death by his mother, Janet and older sister, Eliza. Survivors include Father, Ron; Stepmother, Joanne; Brother, Amos and Jacob; Sisters, Heather Lear and Emily, plus seven stepsiblings, many nieces and nephews, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and his Grandma, Merna Swanson.

 A Celebration of Life will be held on November 2, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 110 50th Street SW, Everett, Washington.