Gerald P. Swehla, 77, of Easton, formerly of Alden, died Friday, Oct. 20, 2006 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Funeral Services will be

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2006, at 2 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Alden. Visitation will be a one-hour prior to the service at the church Tuesday.

Reverend Lynn Borgeson will officiate. Burial will be in the Alden Cemetery.

Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is in charge of arrangements.

Gerald Powers Swehla was born Feb. 7, 1929, the son of Leo A. and Bernice (Powers) Swehla in Albert Lea. He graduated from Alden High School in 1948. Gerald served in the Armed Forces from 1951 to 1953 in the European Campaign. After his honorable discharge, he worked for a farmer, then Smith-Douglas, and he was a carpenter and farmed for himself. He later moved to Wells and worked for Del Monte canning factory. Gerald enjoyed reading.

He is survived by 2 sisters: Violet Wangen of Albert Lea, Leona Shaeffer of Des Moines, Iowa; one brother: Merlyn Swehla Sr. and his wife Marjorie of Alden; Close friend, John Canterbury of Easton; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Leo F. Swehla; and two brothers-in-law: Raymond Wangen and Harold Shaeffer.