Arthur “Bud” Swanson, 89, of Porterfield, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on July 20, 2026. Born April 7, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, Bud later settled in Northeast Wisconsin, where he and his wife, Sharlene, owned and ran a local bar, Bud and Shar’s Place, before he went on to spend the majority of his career at the Menominee Paper Company as a millwright.
Bud had a sharp wit and a way of delivering a stern line with a twinkle in his eye that let you know he wasn’t really so stern after all. He always kept “cookies” in his pocket for the family dogs, who learned to come running the moment he showed up. He loved the land he and his family built together — riding the trails, watering the trees, deer hunting — and passed that love of the outdoors on to generations of kids and grandkids who now carry it forward.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sharlene; his children, Christine (Ed) Langer, James (Sarah) Swanson, and David (Nicole) Swanson; his daughter-in-law, Lori Swanson; his brother Ted (Flo) Swanson; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, John Swanson and grand-daughter, Kelly Swanson.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00–6:00 PM on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at The Corner Bar and Grille in Porterfield.
