Obituary of Sergeant Edward William Swedenjelm

On November 15, 2007, Edward Swedenjelm passed away in his apartment at Easthaven Villa, Yelm Washington. He was 88 years old. Edward Swedenjelm was born in Kane Pennsylvania, March 11, 1919. His parents were Edward T. Swedenjelm and Margaret Faul Swedenjelm, both deceased. He was married to Helen Elizabeth Hoffman April 18, 1961. They were married for 41 years when she passed away in September, 2002. Two of his sisters, Mary Jane Brown and Virginia Nestiz are deceased; His third sister, Edythe Gerhart and her husband, Robert live in Kane, Pennsylvania Mr. Swedenjelm is survived by stepson, Donald Hoffman and his wife, Patricia who live in Bothell, WA. Grandchildren consist of Susan Carter and husband Paul who live in West Richland, WA; and Michael Hoffman and wife, Kris who live in Tumwater, WA. Great Grandchildren include Sue and Paul's son Stephen; and Mike and Kris's daughters Stephanie, Lauren and Josie and son Jay. Mr. Swedenjelm was retired from the United States Army at the rank of Sergeant. He first joined the Army November 28, 1939. For the majority of WW 2, he was stationed in Panama. In 1944 he was transferred back to the United States and then to Germany where he was on the front lines of the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for "meritorious achievement in ground operations against the enemy, European Theater of Operations". Between July 25, 1945 and January 13, 1948, he worked for worked for The Electric Company in Kane, Pennsylvania. He re-joined the Army, retiring May 31, 1962. His duty stations included Alaska and Germany. During his assignment to Fort Lewis in 1960-61, he married Helen Elizabeth Hoffman. After his retirement from the Army, they lived in Tacoma. He worked for Boeing for 14 years. Upon retirement from Boeing, they moved to Single Tree Estates which borders Clear Lake in Thurston County, Washington. After her passing Edward moved to Easthaven Villa, an Assisted Living Facility in Yelm, Washington. Throughout his life he was known for hard work and straight talk. When he misspoke about a situation or person, he had the courage to offer a sincere apology and desire to make right. He loved the Lord Jesus Christ, his Country and his family. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, November 28, 2007 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,10423 Clark Rd. SE, Yelm, Washington 98597. Internment will be at the Oakwood Hill Cemetery, 5210 S. Alder St., Tacoma, Washington 98409, 253-473-2900.