KINGSFORD — Frances A. "Babe" Swanson, 91, of Kingsford, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, at Maryhill Manor Nursing Home in Niagara, Wis.
Frances was born in Calumet on Sept. 10, 1928, to the late James and Mary (Vairo) Coello. Being the youngest of the family, she forever became known as Babe.
Babe shared many fond memories of growing up in the Copper Country. A visit to her aunt and uncle in Detroit in the late 1940s led her to a job as a telephone operator at Michigan Bell, working out of the Royal Oak and Birmingham offices. After several years, she requested a transfer to Iron Mountain to live closer to her sister. Upon moving here she enjoyed playing in the local softball and bowling leagues.
On Oct. 16, 1954, Babe was united in marriage to Roger Swanson of Kingsford at St. Mary's Church in Calumet. She stopped working to raise three sons. She would later return to Bell, where she worked in the switch room until her retirement in 1988.
She gathered with her friends of the "399 Club"for 65 years. Babe and two of the members, including Betty Anderson and Irene Ebidon, continued to play cards every Friday up through October. Babe also enjoyed watching the Packers, Michigan State basketball, Jeopardy and working puzzles.
Babe cherished the time she spent with her grandson. She was a wonderful grandmother and her grandson was the light of her life. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to all she met. She enjoyed many neighborhood and family gatherings. She was a wonderful cook. Babe's faith was strong. She was a lifetime and faithful member of American Martyrs Catholic Church.
Babe is survived by her sons, Michael (Teresa) of Kingsford, Mark (Kim) of Colorado and Todd (Beth) of Negaunee; grandson, Matthew of DePere, Wis., and granddaughter, Desi (Mike) McNally of Colorado; a great-grandchild; and many caring nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years; her brothers, Jim, Joseph (Gloria) and Robert Coello; sisters, Johanna (Bernie) Gravier and Marie (Chester) Butler; and also by her in-laws KO and Elsie Swanson, Elmer and Lois Freeberg, Alton and Ricki Swanson, Doreen and Vern Josephson, and John and Arlene McDonough.
We would like to thank the many friends and family who called, prayed, visited and asked about her. We also want to thank Kris for all her visits, special neighbors, including Pat and Karen Ellis and Geri Henry.
We would also like to thank the Denise and Steve Feira family and the Nancy Bal family, for always including Babe in their gatherings. You were an important part of her family. Special thank you to caregiver Kay and to the staff at Maryhill Manor for the care they provided over the past months.
The family would also like to thank all other health care providers, including Dr. Funtanilla, for their wonderful care over the past years.
Babe was an inspiration to all who knew her. Her strength, positive attitude, determination and thoughtfulness will always be remembered. What a blessing to have had you for 91 years. We will miss you more than you will know.
Visitation will be from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain.
Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford. Fr. Joseph Gouin will offer the Mass of Christian Burial.
Burial will be in the Quinnesec Cemetery.
Condolences to the family of Frances "Babe"Swanson may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.
The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral home with the arrangements.
Available: https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/obituaries/2020/02/frances-a-babe-swanson/ Contributor: SBK (48401608)
Frances was born in Calumet on Sept. 10, 1928, to the late James and Mary (Vairo) Coello. Being the youngest of the family, she forever became known as Babe.
Babe shared many fond memories of growing up in the Copper Country. A visit to her aunt and uncle in Detroit in the late 1940s led her to a job as a telephone operator at Michigan Bell, working out of the Royal Oak and Birmingham offices. After several years, she requested a transfer to Iron Mountain to live closer to her sister. Upon moving here she enjoyed playing in the local softball and bowling leagues.
On Oct. 16, 1954, Babe was united in marriage to Roger Swanson of Kingsford at St. Mary's Church in Calumet. She stopped working to raise three sons. She would later return to Bell, where she worked in the switch room until her retirement in 1988.
She gathered with her friends of the "399 Club"for 65 years. Babe and two of the members, including Betty Anderson and Irene Ebidon, continued to play cards every Friday up through October. Babe also enjoyed watching the Packers, Michigan State basketball, Jeopardy and working puzzles.
Babe cherished the time she spent with her grandson. She was a wonderful grandmother and her grandson was the light of her life. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to all she met. She enjoyed many neighborhood and family gatherings. She was a wonderful cook. Babe's faith was strong. She was a lifetime and faithful member of American Martyrs Catholic Church.
Babe is survived by her sons, Michael (Teresa) of Kingsford, Mark (Kim) of Colorado and Todd (Beth) of Negaunee; grandson, Matthew of DePere, Wis., and granddaughter, Desi (Mike) McNally of Colorado; a great-grandchild; and many caring nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years; her brothers, Jim, Joseph (Gloria) and Robert Coello; sisters, Johanna (Bernie) Gravier and Marie (Chester) Butler; and also by her in-laws KO and Elsie Swanson, Elmer and Lois Freeberg, Alton and Ricki Swanson, Doreen and Vern Josephson, and John and Arlene McDonough.
We would like to thank the many friends and family who called, prayed, visited and asked about her. We also want to thank Kris for all her visits, special neighbors, including Pat and Karen Ellis and Geri Henry.
We would also like to thank the Denise and Steve Feira family and the Nancy Bal family, for always including Babe in their gatherings. You were an important part of her family. Special thank you to caregiver Kay and to the staff at Maryhill Manor for the care they provided over the past months.
The family would also like to thank all other health care providers, including Dr. Funtanilla, for their wonderful care over the past years.
Babe was an inspiration to all who knew her. Her strength, positive attitude, determination and thoughtfulness will always be remembered. What a blessing to have had you for 91 years. We will miss you more than you will know.
Visitation will be from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain.
Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford. Fr. Joseph Gouin will offer the Mass of Christian Burial.
Burial will be in the Quinnesec Cemetery.
Condolences to the family of Frances "Babe"Swanson may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.
The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral home with the arrangements.
Available: https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/obituaries/2020/02/frances-a-babe-swanson/ Contributor: SBK (48401608)
KINGSFORD — Frances A. "Babe" Swanson, 91, of Kingsford, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, at Maryhill Manor Nursing Home in Niagara, Wis.
Frances was born in Calumet on Sept. 10, 1928, to the late James and Mary (Vairo) Coello. Being the youngest of the family, she forever became known as Babe.
Babe shared many fond memories of growing up in the Copper Country. A visit to her aunt and uncle in Detroit in the late 1940s led her to a job as a telephone operator at Michigan Bell, working out of the Royal Oak and Birmingham offices. After several years, she requested a transfer to Iron Mountain to live closer to her sister. Upon moving here she enjoyed playing in the local softball and bowling leagues.
On Oct. 16, 1954, Babe was united in marriage to Roger Swanson of Kingsford at St. Mary's Church in Calumet. She stopped working to raise three sons. She would later return to Bell, where she worked in the switch room until her retirement in 1988.
She gathered with her friends of the "399 Club"for 65 years. Babe and two of the members, including Betty Anderson and Irene Ebidon, continued to play cards every Friday up through October. Babe also enjoyed watching the Packers, Michigan State basketball, Jeopardy and working puzzles.
Babe cherished the time she spent with her grandson. She was a wonderful grandmother and her grandson was the light of her life. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to all she met. She enjoyed many neighborhood and family gatherings. She was a wonderful cook. Babe's faith was strong. She was a lifetime and faithful member of American Martyrs Catholic Church.
Babe is survived by her sons, Michael (Teresa) of Kingsford, Mark (Kim) of Colorado and Todd (Beth) of Negaunee; grandson, Matthew of DePere, Wis., and granddaughter, Desi (Mike) McNally of Colorado; a great-grandchild; and many caring nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years; her brothers, Jim, Joseph (Gloria) and Robert Coello; sisters, Johanna (Bernie) Gravier and Marie (Chester) Butler; and also by her in-laws KO and Elsie Swanson, Elmer and Lois Freeberg, Alton and Ricki Swanson, Doreen and Vern Josephson, and John and Arlene McDonough.
We would like to thank the many friends and family who called, prayed, visited and asked about her. We also want to thank Kris for all her visits, special neighbors, including Pat and Karen Ellis and Geri Henry.
We would also like to thank the Denise and Steve Feira family and the Nancy Bal family, for always including Babe in their gatherings. You were an important part of her family. Special thank you to caregiver Kay and to the staff at Maryhill Manor for the care they provided over the past months.
The family would also like to thank all other health care providers, including Dr. Funtanilla, for their wonderful care over the past years.
Babe was an inspiration to all who knew her. Her strength, positive attitude, determination and thoughtfulness will always be remembered. What a blessing to have had you for 91 years. We will miss you more than you will know.
Visitation will be from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain.
Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford. Fr. Joseph Gouin will offer the Mass of Christian Burial.
Burial will be in the Quinnesec Cemetery.
Condolences to the family of Frances "Babe"Swanson may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.
The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral home with the arrangements.
Available: https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/obituaries/2020/02/frances-a-babe-swanson/ Contributor: SBK (48401608)
Frances was born in Calumet on Sept. 10, 1928, to the late James and Mary (Vairo) Coello. Being the youngest of the family, she forever became known as Babe.
Babe shared many fond memories of growing up in the Copper Country. A visit to her aunt and uncle in Detroit in the late 1940s led her to a job as a telephone operator at Michigan Bell, working out of the Royal Oak and Birmingham offices. After several years, she requested a transfer to Iron Mountain to live closer to her sister. Upon moving here she enjoyed playing in the local softball and bowling leagues.
On Oct. 16, 1954, Babe was united in marriage to Roger Swanson of Kingsford at St. Mary's Church in Calumet. She stopped working to raise three sons. She would later return to Bell, where she worked in the switch room until her retirement in 1988.
She gathered with her friends of the "399 Club"for 65 years. Babe and two of the members, including Betty Anderson and Irene Ebidon, continued to play cards every Friday up through October. Babe also enjoyed watching the Packers, Michigan State basketball, Jeopardy and working puzzles.
Babe cherished the time she spent with her grandson. She was a wonderful grandmother and her grandson was the light of her life. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to all she met. She enjoyed many neighborhood and family gatherings. She was a wonderful cook. Babe's faith was strong. She was a lifetime and faithful member of American Martyrs Catholic Church.
Babe is survived by her sons, Michael (Teresa) of Kingsford, Mark (Kim) of Colorado and Todd (Beth) of Negaunee; grandson, Matthew of DePere, Wis., and granddaughter, Desi (Mike) McNally of Colorado; a great-grandchild; and many caring nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years; her brothers, Jim, Joseph (Gloria) and Robert Coello; sisters, Johanna (Bernie) Gravier and Marie (Chester) Butler; and also by her in-laws KO and Elsie Swanson, Elmer and Lois Freeberg, Alton and Ricki Swanson, Doreen and Vern Josephson, and John and Arlene McDonough.
We would like to thank the many friends and family who called, prayed, visited and asked about her. We also want to thank Kris for all her visits, special neighbors, including Pat and Karen Ellis and Geri Henry.
We would also like to thank the Denise and Steve Feira family and the Nancy Bal family, for always including Babe in their gatherings. You were an important part of her family. Special thank you to caregiver Kay and to the staff at Maryhill Manor for the care they provided over the past months.
The family would also like to thank all other health care providers, including Dr. Funtanilla, for their wonderful care over the past years.
Babe was an inspiration to all who knew her. Her strength, positive attitude, determination and thoughtfulness will always be remembered. What a blessing to have had you for 91 years. We will miss you more than you will know.
Visitation will be from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain.
Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford. Fr. Joseph Gouin will offer the Mass of Christian Burial.
Burial will be in the Quinnesec Cemetery.
Condolences to the family of Frances "Babe"Swanson may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.
The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral home with the arrangements.
Available: https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/obituaries/2020/02/frances-a-babe-swanson/ Contributor: SBK (48401608)
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SWANSON
ROGER
1924-2007
BABE
1928-
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