Bayliss L Swanson

Bayliss L. Swanson, age 92, died on September 24, 2015, of complications from Parkinson’s disease. Bayliss was born on his family’s farm home east of Pine City on June 20, 1923 to Oscar Hjalmer and Minnie Bjork Swanson. He attended a one-room country school, skiing more than two miles to school some winter days, and he graduated from Pine City High School in 1941. Bayliss served in the U.S. Army from 1944 through 1946. After the war he served in the National Guard and attended Duluth Junior College where he majored in pinochle. One summer day he went down to the Pine City swimming beach (he couldn’t swim) and asked the lifeguard, Margery Stratte, out for a date. She said yes and on July 22, 1950 they were married. Bayliss graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Pharmacy in 1955 and he made lifelong friends with his fellow members of Phi Delta Chi. Early in his career as a registered pharmacist he worked at Lilja Pharmacy in Pine City. In 1959 Bayliss purchased Molitor Drug in St. Cloud, and in 1964 the store expanded to include a gift shop. He and Margery operated Molitor as they raised their children, Margret, Peter, Mary Clare, and Elisabeth. They closed Molitor in 1979. Bayliss owned and operated the Women and Children’s Apothecary in St. Cloud until 1994. Following his retirement, Bayliss and Margery moved back to the town they loved most, Pine City. Baseball was Bayliss’s enduring passion, from throwing a ball against the chicken house on the farm and playing shortstop for the Pine City Pirates to cheering on the Minnesota Twins. As the first batter at the inaugural game of the Hinckley Ball Park, he struck out. Bayliss was involved in community service throughout his life including Pine City Area History Association, Eastern Minnesota Regional Library Board, Pine City Library Foundation, Trinity Episcopal Church Vestry, St. Cloud Board of Health, and St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce. He was a longtime member of the St. Cloud Country Club. Bayliss is remembered for his great sense of humor, generous spirit, and his drive to win every game by all who knew and loved him. Bayliss is survived by his wife, Margery Stratte Swanson; children, Margret Swanson (Mark Muellerleile), Peter Swanson, Mary Clare Jensen (Dean), and Elisabeth Raasch (Don); grandchildren Peter, Elise, Clare, Anne, Paul Bayliss, Charles, Margret, and Teddy; sisters, Phyllis Kick and Sonja Thiry; and brothers-in-law, Alf Stratte, Jr., and Jon Stratte, M.D. Bayliss was preceded in death by his parents Oscar and Minnie Swanson and sisters Irene Schlotterbeck and Shirley Karas. Memorials preferred to Pine City Area History Association, 315 Main Street, Suite 170, Pine City, MN 55063. Reverend Dr. Vicki Vander Vegt and Reverend Art Wojciehowski will officiate at the funeral service for Bayliss Swanson: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 3, 2015, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Pine City, visitation one hour prior at the church. Music will be provided by Elisabeth Raasch and Glenna Reierson. Casket bearers: Peter and Elise Muellerleile, Clare, Anne and Paul Bayliss Jensen, Charles, Margret and Teddy Raasch. The internment will be at Birchwood Cemetery, Pine City. Funeral arrangements for Bayliss Swanson are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City ~ Swanson Chapel. www.funeralandcremationservice.com