Joel E. Swanson, of Carroll, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the age of 84.
A Funeral Mass wil be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 17, 2025, at St. John Paul II Parish, St. Lawrence Church in Carroll. The Mass will be celebrated by Father Tim Johnson. Lectors for the Mass will be Michael Greteman, Tom Liddle, and Julie Mayhall. Pianist for the Mass will be Jane Heithoff with Mary Moen, Grace Widseth, and Ignacio Cabrera as Cantors. Gift Bearers will be Anne Bitga and Patrick Greteman. The Honorary Pallbearers will be members of St. Anthony’s Rock Steady Boxing Parkinson’s class. Immediately following the Funeral Mass, burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 16th at Sharp Funeral Home with a Prayer Service at 4:00 p.m. A short visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Monday, November 17th at St. Lawrence Church prior to the Funeral Mass.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of Sharp Funeral Home of Carroll and online condolences may be left for Joel’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Anthony’s Rock Steady Boxing Parkinson’s program.
Joel E. Swanson was born January 30, 1941 in Lake City, Iowa. Joel joined his brother James. His parents, Lester E. Swanson and Esther (Schwidder) Swanson added a daughter, Lorene a few years later.
Joel attended Lake City schools, graduating from High School in 1959. He enrolled at the University of Iowa. While attending the U of I, he was a member of Beta Theta Pi social fraternity. He completed his education with a Law Degree in 1967. He returned to Lake City to join his father forming the firm of Swanson and Swanson. Joel ran for the position of Calhoun County Attorney, being elected for two terms. Following his father’s death in 1972, Joel was a sole practitioner. During this time he was appointed Calhoun County Magistrate and served in that capacity until 1992 when he was appointed by Governor Terry Branstad as District Court Judge for the Second Judicial District of Iowa. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 2017.
Prior to commencing Law School, he married Pamela Avery and to this union two children were born, Kristin A. Swanson in 1968 and Scott M. Swanson in 1970. Pamela died in 1978.
Joel enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard and served for six years.
In the fall of 1978, while attending an Iowa football game in Arizona, Joel became acquainted with his travel agent, Mary Greteman. The relationship grew and on March 30, 1979, Joel and Mary were married in Carroll, Iowa.
Joel was an avid Hawkeye fan. He held season football tickets and commencing in 1959, missed only three home football games. Joel had season basketball tickets when Carver-Hawkeye Arena was constructed and held them for over 10 years.
Joel and Mary were avid travelers to most countries in Europe. They traveled to China and Cuba. They also traveled to all 50 states and Mexico.
Joel is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Kristin (Tom), son Scott (Beth), grandsons August and Joel Wifler, sister Lorene (David) Liddle, and in-laws, Mike (Cathy) Greteman, Jean (Tom) Farner, Jim (Mary) Greteman, Margie (Jim) Wegner, Susie (Phil) Leonard, Ann (Aaron) Ledet, Patty Greteman, and Nick Greteman.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester E. Swanson and Esther Swanson, his first wife Pamela, his brother James and his father-in-law Louis Greteman and mother-in-law Julia Greteman.
