Roy W. Swanson

APPLETON, Wis. - Roy W. Swanson, 93, of Ironwood, Mich., passed away Sunday, July 16, 2017, at Heartwood Homes in Appleton.

He was born June 20, 1924, in Marquette, Mich., the only son of the late Victor and Ruth (McCombie) Swanson.

Roy graduated from John D. Pierce High School in 1942 and enlisted into the U.S. Navy, honorably discharged as Petty Officer Radioman in 1946. He was recalled into the Korean Conflict where he was fortunate to stay stateside and he taught radio theory at the Baltimore Naval Academy. Roy worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Company for 38 years and was retired for 37.

Roy and Nellie (Denny) were married Feb. 14, 1948. She passed away on Jan. 2, 1995. Roy is survived by their three children, Sandy (Larry) Nezworski, Brooklyn Center, Minn., Nance (Gary) Bayer, Appleton, and Dennis Swanson, Neenah.

Gramps adored his granddaughters, Gina (Mark) Schuenke, Stillwater, Minn., and Jill Nezworski, Brooklyn Center; and grandson, Bradley Roy Swanson, Ishpeming, Mich. Papa Roy was also blessed with three great-grandchildren, Nolan Roy and Kade Norman Schuenke and Nellie Lane Nezworski.

In October 1998, Roy married Marlene Palovich. She passed on April 22, 2007. Her daughters, Suzanne, Brock and Kim, Jack and "Little Jack," survive.

These words were written by our dad, Roy:

"Do not weep my death for I have had a wonderful life. Great parents and friends in my childhood days. I was fortunate to come out of the World War II and the Korean Conflict. I married a wonderful loving wife, Nellie. We enjoyed our family as each came into our big world. They grew up being loved and cherished by mom and I."

Roy was a member of the VFW Post 3673 and the American Legion Post 5. He enjoyed hunting and fishing at his camp in the Porcupine Mountains. He loved animals and enjoyed feeding them in his backyard, chopping wood well into his 90s, and everyone who met him knew his quick wit and a sailor's smile.

Roy's memorial service will be held at Salem Lutheran Church, 333 Aurora St. in Ironwood, on Friday, Sept. 8, at 11 a.m. Roy's family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Military honors will follow the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to HOPE Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 261 Ironwood, MI 49938. Online condolences can be made at wichmannfargo.com.

A special thank you to Nance and Gary Bayer, Heartwood Homes, Appleton, and Heartland Hospice, DePere, for their loving and compassionate care to Roy.

The family was assisted by Wichmann Fargo Funeral Home, Appleton.