N.L. “Swede” Danielson

December 10, 2016

N. L. “Swede” Danielson, 94, co-founder of Faith Chapel Funeral Home, passed away peacefully on Thursday December 8, 2016, with his family at his side.

Swede was born in Lindsborg, Kansas on June 28, 1922, to the late Delbert and Mildred Lagerstrom Danielson. Swede was a U. S. Navy veteran who honorably served his country in World War II. He was stationed at Whiting Field and Okinawa, Japan. While in Pensacola, he met and married, Myrtle Davis, of Brewton, Alabama, and together they moved to Kansas.

Swede’s love for the funeral business started at age 14 while working with his uncle, Arvid Danielson. Upon returning to Kansas he completed mortuary college at Kansas City College of Mortuary Science in 1949 and worked again with his uncle. Swede and Myrtle returned to Pensacola in 1950 with their first son (Ray) and he went to work at Fisher Pou Funeral Home with the ultimate dream of one day owning his own funeral home.

Swede worked five jobs at one time and fathered two more children with Myrtle (Beverly and Lamar) while working to fulfill his dream. He was a painter, monument salesman, gravedigger, and ambulance driver all while working at his job at the funeral home. In 1964 his dream came true after meeting the late Tommy Smith and in 1965 they partnered and opened Faith Chapel Funeral Home on Beverly Parkway.

He surpassed his dream by opening the second Faith Chapel Funeral Home location in December 1999, and an onsite crematory in 2009, both located in Cantonment, FL. Swede formally retired in 2012 and was the oldest active funeral director in the State of Florida. Swede loved what he did and was dedicated to serving the whole community, making this the foundation of Faith Chapel Funeral Homes. In following his calling, he was a living example of Galatians 5:13, “but through love serve one another.”

He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 67 years, Myrtle; his son, Lamar; and his parents.

Swede is survived by his two children, Ray and his wife Theresa, and Beverly Milsted and her husband David; daughter-in-law, Micah Danielson; 10 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Louise Davis; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Dr. Jerry Passmore officiating and Dr. Ted Traylor assisting.

The family will receive friends at 10:30 a.m. prior to services.

Burial will follow the funeral service at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery in Pensacola, FL where he will be laid to rest beside Myrtle.

Active pallbearers will be Swede’s grandsons.

Honorary pallbearers will be past and present employees of Faith Chapel Funeral Home.

The family would like to express a special “thank you” to the staff of Summer Vista Assisted Living Facility for their love and care during his residency and to Emerald Coast Hospice for their care during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Swede Danielson may be made to Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen or Manna Food Bank.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.

Comments

2 Responses to “N.L. “Swede” Danielson”

  1. Faye Sturdivant on December 11th, 2016 8:46 pm

    Mr. Danielson was such a nice person. He was guest in my home many times. How he loved to come on a business call and just take time out for a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. He will be missed by family and friends.

  2. Mike Spinks on December 11th, 2016 6:31 pm

    Beverly,
    May God’s love, grace, and peace be with you and your family during this time of your lost. Oh-h-h the stories and jokes he use to tell me when I went to pick up Dad, Chester. They will be remembered.
    With prayers,
    Mike Spinks

Written by Jane · Filed Under Obituaries