Mary Louise Sjowall

HURLEY, Wis. - Mary Louise Sjowall, 87, of Ironwood, Mich., died Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013, at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley.

The former Mary Louise Roberts was born Nov. 9, 1925, in Ironwood, daughter of the late William and Myrtle (Anderson) Roberts, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1942. She was employed at the Oliver Iron Mining Co. and as payroll supervisor at Luther L. Wright High School until her retirement.

She married Oscar Sjowall on June 22, 1968. He preceded her in death on June 3, 1994.

Mary was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Ironwood, the church choir and church circle. She was also a member of the Ironwood Professional Women's Club, the Gogebic Country Club and the Women's Twilight Golf League. Her interests included reading, cooking and handwork.

Surviving are two stepdaughters, Joy (Robert) Paquin, Ironwood, and Vicki (David) Ylkanen, Lake Gogebic and Fountain Hills, Ariz; a stepson, Rock (Jeri) Sjowall, Tracy, Calif .; six stepgrandchildren, Robin (Joe) Kafczynski and Christopher Paquin, both of Ironwood, Eric (Shannon) Ylkanen, North Branch, Minn., Scott (Nikki) Ylkanen, Arden Hills, Minn., and Joshua and Shelby Sjowall, Tracy; seven stepgreat-grandchildren, Tracey (Shane) Wiercinski, Wausau, Stacey Paquin, Phoenix, Cassie Kafczynski, Marquette, Mich., Joey Kafczynski, Houghton, Mich., Samuel Ylkanen, North Branch, and Skylar and Braylon Ylkanen, Arden Hills .; a stepgreat-great-grandson, Jaxson Wiercinski, Wausau; a niece, Lynn (Bob) Freelove, Oxnard, Calif .; nephew, David Roberts, Wausau; and many cousins.

Besides her parents and husband, Mary was predeceased by a brother, William Roberts; and sisters-in-law, Elaine and Betty Roberts.

Out of respect for her wishes, cremation has taken place.

Private interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

Memorial services will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church in the spring or summer of 2014 at a time and date to be announced.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood, where condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.