Wayne "Sonny" Swendseid, age 85, resident of Devils Lake, ND, formerly Dahlen, ND passed away Thursday, November 13, 2008 at Lake Country Manor in Devils Lake.

Wayne was born the son of Gibb and Maud (Anton) Swendseid on November 2, 1923 at his grandfathers home in Dahlen. He grew up and attended school in Dahlen, graduating from Dahlen High School. Sonny loved to compete in basketball, he played country league baseball at Bachelors Grove and in Petersburg for the Fordville Conway Twins. He loved to curl and was an avid hunter and fisherman. On April 4, 1945 he married Ardis Johnson in Crookston, MN. Sonny entered the United States Army on October 25, 1945. He served in the Philippine Islands before his honorable discharge on October 14, 1946.

Sonny started farming in the Dahlen area and continued farming until his retirement in the spring of 1990. He then continued farming with his grandson until moving to Devils Lake in 2006. He served on the township board, church board, elevator board and was president of the Nelson County Farm Bureau. Sonny was a member of the John Larson American Legion Post #247 in Petersburg, ND. Sonny will always be remembered as Grandpa Barn to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Sonny loved his family and will be missed by his wife of 63 years, Ardis of Devils Lake, ND, daughter Arlyce (Rick) Trenda of Devils Lake, ND, son Arvid Swendseid & fiancee Wanda Bakke of Edinburg, ND, daughter Sarah Bergeron of Devils Lake, ND, 10 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, brother Gerald Swendseid of Salem, OR, sister Leal Dorsey of Tumwater, WA along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Elaine Swendseid and Lois Morey.

Funeral services for Wayne will be Monday, November 17, 2008 at 10:30 AM in the Dahlen Lutheran Church, Dahlen, ND.  Officiating will be Reverend Gary Knabe.  Casketbearers will be Brian Trenda, Scott Trenda, Jeff Trenda, Bradley Bergeron, Tina Marie Anderson and Rachel Kraft.  Visitation will be Sunday, November 16, 2008 from 3 PM to 7 PM with a 7 PM prayer service in the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota, ND and continue one hour prior to services in the church. Interment will be in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery near Dahlen, ND. Military honors by the John Larson American Legion Post #247 of Petersburg, ND. Arrangements with the Aaker Funeral Home.