Axel R. Swanson

Axel R. Swanson, age 90, of New Glarus, WI passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. He was born on August 8, 1935 in Chicago, IL the son of Axel H. and Andrea L. (Carlson) Swanson. Axel graduated from Lane Tech High School in 1954, and then entered into the United States Army Signal Corps, serving in Germany. On December 31, 1955, Axel married the love of his life, Arlene A. Sinner, in Chicago. Following Axel’s discharge from the Army in 1957, he and Arlene returned to Chicago where Axel began working and continuing his education at the Illinois Institute of Technology, graduating in 1967 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Axel worked as an engineer for Signode, Paslode, MN Honeywell, and Videojet while living in Elk Grove Village, IL where he and Arlene raised their family. Axel and his fellow engineer friends built and flew a fixed wing hang glider. In 1999, after retiring, Axel and Arlene moved to New Glarus, where they had spent time biking on the Sugar River Trail. In New Glarus, they were part of the Friends of the New Glarus Library and involved in the Light the Night walks. With Arlene, Axel enjoyed walking in New Glarus and traveling the world. Axel made friends feel like family.

Axel is survived by his wife of 70 years, Arlene; children Carol (Richard Placey) Swanson, Jim Swanson, and William (Patricia) Swanson; grandchildren Kate (Ben Zion) Swanson, Dave (Erica) Swanson, Caroline (Justin Platt) Swanson, Axel James Swanson, and Ayla Belle Swanson; and great-grandchildren Olivia, Misha, Will, Annika, Charlie, August, and Calvin. Axel (aka Uncle Bob) is further survived by nieces and nephew Karen (Chuck) Spratt, Mary (Bill) Madigan, Michael Sinner, and Catherine Sinner, and their families.

Axel was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Anna Sinner, and brother-in-law Donald Sinner.

A celebration of Axel’s life will be held at a later date.

The Zentner-Beal Funeral Home of New Glarus is assisting the family.