RAPID CITY Leonard Francis Swanson, 85, of Rapid City, died Wednesday, April 16, 2008. He was born March 21, 1923, in Larchwood, Iowa to Iver and Mary Ellen Swanson. Leonard Swanny attended Cathedral High School in Sioux Falls, SD and graduated in 1940. He then joined the armed forces in 1944 and served in WWII. Since the 6th grade, Leonard dreamed of an occupation as an engineer. The GI bill provided the means to realize that dream, and in 1951, he received his bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from SDSU. In 1951 he married Stella Maris Buthe. They moved immediately to Rapid City, SD where he gained employment with Western Architects. After his brief employment there, Swanny accepted a position as a draftsman with the city of Rapid City. He had many positions during his tenure with the city. His last position was as public works director, where he had a major role in the rebuilding of Rapid City after the 1972 flood. Leonard retired in 1987. Leonards faith and Catholicism was an important instrument in his life. He enjoyed gardening, reading, and spending time with his family. He was preceeded in death by his parents, Iver and May Swanson, and his grandson, Samuel Vaughn Hight. Survivors include his wife, Stella Maris; his children, Barbara Davis, El Paso, TX, Deborah and Paul Hight, Sturgis, Lenny Swanson, Becky Jones, and Steve and Lisa Swanson, all of Rapid City, and his grandchildren, Andy Davis, Jessica Jones, Nychole Swanson, Danielle Swanson, Hollie Hight, and Paul Henry Hight, a sister, Theresa Hinders, Memphis, TN, and a brother, Raymond Swanson, Minneapolis, MN. Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM, followed by a Christian Wake Service at 3:00 PM, Sunday, April 20th, at Our Lady Chapel at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 AM Monday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Interment, with military honors provided by the Rushmore VFW Post 1273 Honor Guard, will be at the Mount Calvary Cemetery. A luncheon will be served at the Cathedral following the interment. The family would like to thank Sommerset Assisted Living, Fountain Springs Nursing staff, and Hospice of the Hills for their care of our loving husband and father. Memorials may be made, per Swannys request, to Hospice of the Hills.