George Edward Swan, age 76, died at the Hospice of the Hills house in Harrison, Arkansas on Thursday, October 3, 2013.

George was born to Emma and Robert Swan on March 24, 1937, in New Castle, Wyoming. He, with his sister Roberta (Bobbi), grew up and attended school in Rolfe, Iowa. George enjoyed hunting, trapping, fishing, woodworking, and art. He worked in his family’s local newspaper business, The Rolfe Arrow. He proudly served our country in the United States Air Force from 1955-1959.

On July 16, 1962, George married Dolores Holtorf (Nielsen) at which time he became a step-father to her three children. Dolores and George added to their family by having two more daughters. In 1966, the family moved near Sioux Falls, SD where George worked at The Argus Leader. Later he was employed with Gage Brothers, where he helped build walls for the Denver mint.

George began carving when he was nine years old. He invested time throughout his life to perfect his art. George's beautiful carvings have been sold at Art Festivals and Art Galleries in South Dakota.

Upon retirement, Dolores and George moved to Diamond City, Arkansas where they have enjoyed the beautiful landscape and beautiful people of the Ozarks.

He is survived by his wife, Dolores Swan of Diamond City, Arkansas; sons, Dale Holtorf (Karen George) of Denver, Colorado and Eugene Holtorf (Deb Holtorf) of Fort Dodge, Iowa; daughters, Heidi Pirie (Randy Schmidt) of Granada, Minnesota, Paula Sedelmeier of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Robin Miller (Jerome Miller) of Tea South Dakota; 14 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Swan was preceded in death by his parents, Emma and Robert Swan; and his sister, Roberta Quisenberry.

If asking for words describing George, you may hear words such as; integrity, humor, creative, and loving.