Lowell “Swede” Swedlund, 77, passed away on September 3, 2026 from sepsis and heart complications at Monument Health in Rapid City. He was born on August 10, 1949 in Winner, SD to parents Lyle and Ruth Swedlund where the family lived until 1964 when the Swedlund family moved to Thunder Mountain Ranch in the Black Hills. At school, Swede participated in rodeo, 4H, football, and basketball. He graduated from Custer High School in 1967.

After high school, Swede attended Black Hills State University for a few years, just six credits shy of a bachelor’s degree in history. Following his college years, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to become a well-known local business owner, operating both the Stone Canyon and the TTT Bars in Custer. Afterwards, he “fell” into logging and for some inexplicable reason, he loved it, becoming his own boss of Swede’s Logging and Lumber where he traveled throughout Oregon, Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota with a delightful crew of similarly-minded free spirits.

Swede was a sociable man who knew and cared about many people. He enjoyed hunting pheasant, deer, but most of all elk; he loved being called upon to act as a hunting guide for his friends, and he was without a doubt the one you would want by your side–his daughters fondly called him an “elk whisperer.” He loved being on the water but definitely not in it, he energetically supported Chicago sports, especially Da Bears, and he was always ready to “go for a drive” to see where life might take him, whether it be stopping by to visit a friend or watching the sun set on a country road.

Above all else, Swede was a deeply devoted father and grandfather who poured his heart into his family. He shared an incredibly close bond with his daughters, Kasiah and Lucyna, always serving as a steady, even-keeled presence whenever they needed him. His gentle patience and kindness truly defined his role as a grandfather to Kasiah’s sons, Tristin and Dustin. Swede never missed an opportunity to spend his time with his grandsons, eagerly teaching them the ways of the woods and the waters. Whether they were out hunting, patiently waiting for a bite while fishing, or simply talking, he cherished every moment spent passing down his knowledge. The wisdom he shared and the quiet moments spent together by the water will remain a lasting legacy in the hearts of his grandsons forever.

Swede is preceded in death by his father Lyle; his mother Ruth; his wife Anita; his brother-in-law Dave Sebade; and sister-in-law Annalynn Kuper. He is survived by his daughters Kasiah Swedlund and Lucyna (Alex) Preston; his grandchildren Tristin (Tashawna) McCarthy and Dustin McCarthy; his siblings Marla (Larry Chilstrom) Sebade, Brad, and Duane.

A memorial service will be held at Custer Lutheran Fellowship on Saturday, September 26th at 1:00 pm with a social hour to follow at the VFW to celebrate and mourn the life of Lowell Swedlund.