Marilyn K. Swanson

Marilyn Kay Swanson (Bigsby), age 81 of Appleton, WI died peacefully surrounded by family on May 20, 2025. She was born to Lyle and Catherine (Wagner) Bigsby on June 7, 1943 in Fond Du Lac, WI – she was so small that she could fit in a shoe box. After high school, she graduated from Deaconess School of Nursing in 1964. After graduation, she was an Operating Room nurse at Deaconess Hospital in Milwaukee for 4 years and then at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah in the operating room for 37 years. She then spent the last 4 years of her career in day surgery at Theda Clark. She retired in 2009 after 45 years in a nursing career that brought her so much joy.

Marilyn married Marvin Swanson in 1974 and they enjoyed over 28 wonderful years of marriage together before his passing in 2002. Together, they raised two wonderful daughters. Marilyn’s children and grandchildren were her greatest pride and joy and she cherished every moment she could with her family. Her family is heartbroken and will really miss all of the time spent and frequent phone calls they had with her. Marilyn loved taking her family out to eat or just enjoying a meal together at home. She had season tickets at the Performing Arts Center in Appleton and loved attending the shows and even volunteered her time there for many years. She passed her love of the theater to her family and they will cherish those memories of seeing shows together with her.

Marilyn had many, many dear friends that she regularly got together with for coffee, breakfast or lunch. Those friends meant so much to her and she loved the time she spent with all of them. Marilyn made sure that you knew you were important and appreciated and always remembered birthdays, anniversaries or other special days.

She was an active member of her church and loved spending time with all of the friends she had there. She served on the funeral luncheon committee and service committee for many years and did whatever she could to help her church.

Marilyn will be deeply missed by her children, Michelle “Shelly” Tuchscherer and Sarah (Sam) Krueger; her grandchildren, Alec Tuchscherer, Kyle Tuchscherer, Isabella Krueger, and Xavier Krueger; former son-in-law, Wade Tuchscherer; as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended relatives, and dear friends.

Marilyn is greeted in heaven by her husband, Marvin; her brother, Rusty Bigsby, and her sisters-in-law, Betty Bigsby and Sharon Roxas.

A funeral visitation will be held for Marilyn from 9-11 AM on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 473 7th St, Menasha, WI 54952 with a nurse's honor guard tribute and funeral service to follow at 11 AM.  Marilyn will be laid to rest with her husband at Rienzi Cemetery in Fond Du Lac, WI.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established to support the Deaconess School of Nursing Scholarship fund and St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church.

Marilyn was so caring, thoughtful, loving and generous. She will be missed greatly by all that knew and loved her.

“Not all angels have wings… some are nurses”