Cover photo for Bernard Allen Swanger's Obituary
Bernard Allen Swanger Profile Photo
1940 Bernard 2020

Bernard Allen Swanger

February 2, 1940 — January 15, 2020

Bernard A. “Bernie” Swanger, age 79, passed away January 15, 2020.

He was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on February 2, 1940 to the late Bernard E. and June L. (McAdams) Swanger.

Bernie graduated from Beebeetown High School as a member of the class of 1959. Immediately following graduation he attended body & fender school in Kansas City. Bernie & Karen married February 13, 1960 at Southside Christian Church in Council Bluffs, IA. Through this union they were blessed by three daughters, who loved their dad to no end. Bernie started his career with Western Electric where he spent 35 years making lifelong friends and installing telephone equipment. After a year of retirement he took a position at Tyco where he & Karen were able to travel the world.

Bernie was a man of strong faith with many ties to the Christian churches in Council Bluffs. He looked for any way to share the love of God and his most recent calling was to serve as an Elder at Northwest Christian Church.

Bernie was a farmer at heart, he was happiest fiddling around on his farm. He could fix anything with duct tape and bailing wire. He had a wide variety of passions ranging from growing crops, to caring for his beloved black angus, to cultivating young minds by teaching Sunday School and coaching various sports teams. He made friends everywhere he went and was always willing to lend a helping hand and maybe slide in a prank or two along the way.

After all of his adventures, his most treasured memories were from family vacations with his three daughters that never failed to be memory-makers. Little did he know the following chapter of his life would bring him the wildest adventure of them all, being an amazing grandpa. He especially loved cheering on his grandkids in all of their endeavors. There is no doubt that they love him as much as he loves them.

Bernie will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends. He was one of a kind.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Dennis, Bill and Paul; sister, Patricia; nephews, Freddie and Lonnie.

Bernie is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Karen Swanger; children, Lori Ingoldsby (John), Robin Philips (Chris) and Jodi Jensen (Arlon); sister, Mary Hance; his pride and joy his 4 grandchildren, Sara Ingoldsby, Lauren Philips, Scott Jensen and Jack Jensen; a host of other family and friends.

Visitation is 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday January 19, 2020 at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Funeral service is 10:30 a.m. on Monday at the Funeral Home. Interment is in the Plumer Settlement Cemetery. The family will direct memorials.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Sunday, January 19, 2020

2:00 - 4:00 pm (Central time)

Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home and Crematory

1221 North 16th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

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Prayer Service

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Starts at 4:00 pm (Central time)

Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home and Crematory

1221 North 16th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

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Funeral Ceremony

Monday, January 20, 2020

Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)

Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home and Crematory

1221 North 16th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

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Burial

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