Visitation will be held on Sunday 9th of May, 2 to 4pm at the Mountain View Funeral and Crematorium, 2350 Montebello Square Dr, Colorado Springs, CO. The funeral will be held on the 10th of May at Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church, 5265 N Union Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO. Committal will follow at 12noon, 10th of May, 2021, at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery.
Marilyn was born at the family farm home in Plymouth Illinois on August 4, 1939 to Maxwell and Edith “Lucille” (Dooley) Burton. She was the fourth of sixth children. As a young child the family moved to Galesburg, IL, where Marilyn graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958.
While working at the Orpheum Theater she met the love of her life, Edward Swanson. They were married April 19, 1959 and then moved to Norfolk, VA, where Ed was serving in the US Navy. Later they moved back to Galesburg where Marilyn’s love of serving and teaching others in the medical field began. Marilyn obtained her licensure as a Pharmacy Technician and completed the requirements to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse. In 1973 the family moved to Colorado Springs; Marilyn’s service to Church and her children’s’ activities were important. Later when they lived in San Diego California, Marilyn was responsible for the development and implementation of curriculum for students pursing education to become Medical Assistants. Marilyn enjoyed serving with the Altar Guild at the Lutheran churches they belonged to. Marilyn and Ed were known for opening their home to many family, friends and friends of grandchildren who were in need of safe, stable environment.
Marilyn is survived by her husband of 62 years. Daughter Carolyn and James Tolson of Altus, OK and their children and grandchildren, James and Sheri Tolson of Altus, OK; Thure and Marisa Tolson of Waynoka, OK. Daughter Karen and Kelley Brady of Ellicott, CO and their children and grandchildren, Justin Tyrrell, of Ellicott, CO; Jacob and Samantha Tyrrell, of Colorado Springs, CO. Daughter Carrie Ann and Gary McNemar of Pueblo West, CO., and their children and grandchildren, John and Isabell McNemar of Clarksburg, WV; Brenton and Cheyanne McNemar-White, of Ellicott, CO; Shaun Anthony and Stephanie McNemar of Clarksburg, WV; Brian McNemar-Swanson of Pueblo West, CO; Tausha and Adam Johnson of Fountain CO; Corey McNemar of Pueblo West, CO. Also there are 24 great grandchildren.
Marilyn is also survived by siblings: Anna Zeephat of Palm Coast, Florida; Gilbert Burton of Galesburg, IL; Betty Slusher of Media, Il; brother in law, Bernard and Becky Swanson of Galesburg, IL; sister in law, Helen and Jim McCormick of Abingdon, IL. Marilyn is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are friends of her children and grandchildren that thought of her as their own.
Marilyn was preceded in death by their infant son, Eric Edward; her parents, Maxwell and Lucille Burton, her in-laws, Thure and Esther Swanson, two siblings Connie McLaren and Bonnie McCone and two sisters-in-law Mary McCombs and Ruth Basham preceded Marilyn in death.
The family wishes to extend appreciation and thanks to the Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church staff for their ongoing support, Encompass Home Health of Colorado who assisted the family with occupational and physical therapy and New Century Hospice for their compassion and service during Marilyn’s last earthly days.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.
