Jade Swift

Jade Michael Swift, age 60, of Dent, passed away at Perham Health on Tuesday September 26, 2023, with family by his side.

Jade was born on February 3, 1963, to Gerald (Jerry) and Carol Swift in Chisago City, MN.  He is the oldest of three children. He grew up in and around the Twin Cities prior to moving with his family to Battle Lake in 1977.  He spent time with his family at Eagle Lake, and Fergus Falls where he met, and later married Jeannie (Genoch) Swift in 1981 after a move to Lakewood, WA.   He joined the US Army in 1981, and the family moved around with the Army for several years prior to their move back to the Battle Lake area in  1996.   Together, he and Jeannie had three children, Michael, Nikki and Tiffany.

Jade was proud to be in the US Army to serve his country.  He and the family lived in several locations in the United States- Washington, Louisiana, Kansas, Alaska, and Hawaii.   The family also lived in Germany for a short while.  He learned mechanical skills with the Armed Forces and was considered a good navigator during drills.  He always had his uniform pressed perfectly.  

After his discharge from the Army, he went on to drive semi-trucks for Swift Trucking on the West Coast.  He was not related to THAT Swift family, although other truckers thought he might have been and were always careful around him!  He loved getting into his truck and traveling for miles listening to music.  He was excited to include Jeannie and the kids on some of his longer trips.   Jade attended school for welding and did that work professionally as well. 

Jade loved to work with his hands and enjoyed working on “projects” such as old cars, four wheelers, boats, ice houses and lawnmowers, to name a few. He’d take them apart and usually got them working again.    He loved the outdoors, and especially liked traveling to Akeley for deer hunting with his brother- with beer, stories, and occasionally, a deer.  He has been a Vikings fan his entire life.   He was a good singer and liked to do Karaoke.  But more than anything, Jade loved being with his grandkids, and has a special nickname and place in his heart for each of them. 

Jade is survived by his three children; Mike Swift, Nikki (John) Kugler of Erhard, Tiffany (Dean) Saurer of Amor; his grandchildren- Emma “M&M” Saurer, who shares his birthday, Jayden “Lutefisk” Saurer, Leia “Mini” Saurer, Austin “Aussie” Kugler, and Charlee “Chuck” Kugler; his brother Terry Swift of St Cloud; and sister Dana (Mark) Horlocker of Duluth; Numerous aunts and uncles, niece, nephew, cousins, and friends, including special family friends, Donna, Fred, and Bob Orme. 

Jade was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Carol Swift; former wife, Jeannie Swift; and grandparents, Orvel and Dorothy Jensen and Clarence and Carrie Johnson. 

Those who knew Jade and his family are invited to a gathering at the Shoreline Restaurant in Battle Lake on Saturday, October 14, 2023, from 1 to 3 p.m.