Wilmet "Bill" Swanick

Wilmet Crum ?Bill? Swanick, 89 of Fargo, died Friday, December 9, 2005 in the Palliative Care Unit of MeritCare Hospital, Fargo. Wilmet Crum ?Bill? Swanick was born on October 2, 1916 in Bismarck, ND, the son of James B. and Ethel (Crum) Swanick. He grew up and attended school in Absaraka, ND and Interstate Business College. He was in the grocery business in Valley City and Fargo, ND. Bill purchased the Empire Tavern in 1947 with his brother Delvin. They later purchased the Nestor Tavern in 1957. They were business partners for many years. Bill married Florence E. Abrahamson on May 3, 1941. They spent many wonderful years together in Fargo and Fort Meyers, Florida. They later retired to Waterford at Harwood Groves. Bill was a member of Church of the Nativity in Fargo, Knights of Columbus, Elks Club, Fargo Country Club and formerly President of the ND Beverage Dealers Association. Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Florence; daughters, Betty A. (Ralph) Robert of Coral Springs, FL and Mary Pat (Bill) Collins of Edina, MN and Naples, FL; his brother, James C. Swanick of Mandan, ND; his sister, Sara E. Friesz of Sun City West, AZ; 5 grandchildren, Ralph (Kathleen) Robert of St. Louis, MO, Lisa (Jose) Aponte of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Michael (Marisol) Robert of San Juan, Puerto Rico, W. Rob Collins of Minneapolis, MN and Travis (Gee Gee) Collins of Eagan, MN and 8 great grandchildren. The members of Bill?s family wish to express our profound appreciation and gratitude for all the prayers and care given to Bill and to us during this last difficult year. He had been in the care of Hospice, Waterford and Home-In-Stead. Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer?s Association and Hospice of the Red River Valley. The funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, December 14 at 2:00 pm in Church of the Nativity, Fargo. Visitation will be held one hour prior to Mass in the church and also on Tuesday from 5-7 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm in Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Fargo.