Thomas Blaine Swanson

On July 17th 2025 Thomas Blaine Swanson passed away unexpectedly.

Tom was born August 26th, 1946 in Wausau Wisconsin to Donald Swanson (1923 - 2004) and Marion Williams Swanson (1924 - 2024). In 1954, Don and Marion packed up Tom and his sister Particia for a permanent move to Boulder Junction to run Camp Milo Lodge on White Sand Lake. At a very young age Tom solidified his love of the rural Northwoods wilderness. By age 10, Tom was guiding guests of Milo Lodge to the best fishing holes White Sand Lake had to offer. By age 14 he achieved his first official guiding license, becoming the youngest licensed fishing guide in the state of Wisconsin at that time.

In 1967 Tom was drafted into the U.S. Army and assigned to the “Old Guard”, a historic name for the 3rd U.S. infantry regiment. In that time, he participated as a member of the honor guard serving at the burial ceremonies of former President Dwight Eisenhauer and Senator Robert F. Kennedy and received a personal letter of gratitude from Ethel Kennedy for his service. In 1969 he was also recognized for his participation in the presidential inauguration of Richard M. Nixon. Upon his honorable discharge, Sgt. Tom Swanson returned to Boulder Junction.

While he was cementing his legendary angler status, Tom met and married the love of his life, Colleen Ryan on June 26, 1976, becoming a beloved stepfather to her two girls, Lisa and Jessica Sorcic. In the mid-eighties, Tom became the face of Team Swanson, a Musky Classic fishing team that grew to 100-plus members. Over the course of 20 years, Team Swanson won numerous fishing awards and raised thousands of dollars for local charities in support of the communities of Boulder Junction, Presque Isle, Winchester and Manitowish Waters.

More than just a guide, Tom worked tirelessly with local and state agencies, including the office of Governor Tommy Thompson to promote and preserve the quality of fishing in northern Wisconsin. Tom was also a long-time member of the American Legion Post 451, the Boulder Junction Chamber of commerce and past President of the Boulder Junction Guides Association. After more than 5 decades of guiding, in 2011 Tom was inducted as a Legendary Guide into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame for outstanding achievement in the realm of fresh water sportfishing.

The Northwoods has not only lost a legendary guide but also the last local remaining member of the Sam and Ada Williams (great grandparents) family and the Floyd and Hazel Williams (grandparents) family, who were some of the founding members of Boulder Junction dating as far back as 1903 when railroad tracks were laid in the area. The Williams family were also founding members of the Boulder Junction Community church.

Tom was not just a son, brother, uncle, father, grandfather and husband but also a beloved friend to so many that had the pleasure of knowing him. To quote the Bob Marsh Family, “leave a few fish in the heavenly lake for us”.

Tom is survived by his wife, Colleen, sister Patricia, children Tommy, Lisa, Daniel, Jessica and Jennifer, as well as grandchildren Lars, Elizabeth, Bethany and Jordan and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. To make donations needed to cover Tom’s medical bills and funeral arrangements, a GoFundMe account has been established and can be accessed using the link below or by searching by his full name on GoFundMe.com.

https://gofund.me/bb5af24c

A final sendoff will be determined and communicated at a later date.