Marlene Swanson, 74, of 399 Aspen St., Ironwood, died Sunday, April 22, 2007, in Ironwood. The former Marlene Smith was born July 25, 1932, in Bessemer Township, daughter of the late John and Mildred (Johnson) Smith, and graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer in 1950. She was employed as a telephone operator for Michigan Bell Telephone Co. in Ironwood for many years, at Kodiak Corp. in Erwin Township, Hurley Aeronautics in Hurley, Wis., and the Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency. Marlene was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood. She loved to bake and knit. She married Marko F. Palovich in 1951. He preceded her in death in 1992. She then married Roy W. Swanson in 1998 in Ironwood. He survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Sharon Radel, Blue Ridge, Ga., Kim (Jack) LeVier, Louisville, Ky., and Sue (Brock) Sheridan, Arlington, Texas; a grandson, Jack G. LeVier, Louisville; a step-son, Dennis Swanson, Neenah, Wis.; two step-daughters, Sandy (Larry) Nezworski, Minneapolis, Minn., and Nancy (Gary) Bayer, Appleton, Wis.; a step-grandson, Bradley Swanson, Neenah; two brothers, Ed ( "Peggy") Smith, Wakefield, and Dr. Robert L. Smith, Corpus Christi, Texas; a sister, Carol (Dan) Niemi, Ironwood Township.; a brother-in-law, Forrest Frazier, Naples, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and first husband, Marlene was preceded in death by a sister, Maryann Frazier. At the family's request, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Thursday, April 26, at 11 a.m., at Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Francis Strong officiating. Luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall. Inurnment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer. Relatives and friends may call at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Marlene Swanson for pancreatic cancer research to the National Cancer Institute, Building 31, Room 11A16, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892. Online condolences may be expressed to Marlene's family at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are with McKevitt-Patrick and Engstrom Funeral and Cremation Services of Ironwood and Hurley.