Retired Covenant pastor Paul R. Swanson passed away in Golden Valley, Minnesota, on October 23, 2025. He was 91.
Paul Rudolph Swanson was born to parents Rev. O.R. and Agnes Swanson on May 31, 1934, in Cloquet, Minnesota. As the son of a Covenant pastor, he moved often during his childhood. He came to faith in Poplar, Wisconsin, at the age of eight. After graduating from Minnehaha Academy, Paul attended North Park Junior College, then Case Western Reserve University, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in history in 1955. Eventually Paul earned a bachelor of divinity in Old Testament from North Park Theological Seminary, and was ordained by the Evangelical Covenant Church in 1961. Paul also participated in continuing education at Luther Theological Seminary and Augsburg College.
On August 20, 1955, Paul married his high school sweetheart, Carol LeVahn. Together they had three children, Steven, David, and Sarah. Together, Paul and Carol served in pastoral ministry in various congregations, including West Point Community Covenant Church in West Point, California; Trinity Covenant Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Evangelical Mission Covenant Church in Silverhill, Alabama; and Community Covenant Church in Detroit, Michigan. In 1966 Paul received a call to teach Bible at Minnehaha Academy, where he became known as “Rabbi.”
Besides his passion for teaching, Paul was also known for his love of camping and canoeing in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. He was instrumental in establishing the Adventurous Christians camping ministry and led scores of canoe trips, taking students and couples into the wilderness where they could meet with God. During his time teaching at Minnehaha, he was a member of Bethlehem Covenant Church in south Minneapolis and served on several regional and national boards with the Evangelical Covenant Church and Covenant Retirement Communities.
Carol passed away in 2001, and Paul retired from teaching in 2022. He spent part of his retirement volunteering in global mission work, including stops in Slovakia, Taiwan, China, Mexico, and Alaska.
In 2015 Paul married Janice Almass; they enjoyed more than a decade of joy-filled life together at Covenant Living in Golden Valley.
Paul is survived by his wife Janice; children Steven Swanson (Barbara), David Swanson (Jill), and Sarah Swanson; grandchildren Catherine Christiansen (Lucas), Carl Swanson (Jessica); brothers Bruce and John Swanson; and Janice’s children Jon Carlson (Karen), Scott Carlson (Sandra), and Lisa Carlson (Peter Schulze); grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at the Upper Campus Chapel of Minnehaha Academy on Sunday, November 9. Memorial gifts may be given to Minnehaha Academy.
Peace be to his memory.
