Elaine V. Swanbeck

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Elaine V. Swanbeck, 93, of Ironwood, died peacefully early Friday morning, Oct. 7, 2016, at Westgate Nursing, Rehabilitation and Assisted Living Community in Ironwood, surrounded by her loving family.

The former Elaine Leinonen was born April 3, 1923, in Ironwood, daughter of the late Matthew and Linnea (Krankkala) Leinonen, and attended Roosevelt and McKinley Grade Schools and Luther L. Wright High School.

She was united in marriage to Herbert E. Swanbeck on Nov. 24, 1945, at Sharon Lutheran Church in Bessemer, by the late Rev. E.W. Kastman. Herb preceded her in death on Oct. 28, 2009.

Elaine was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Ironwood and the birthday club. She was a wonderful crocheter and baker and enjoyed gardening. Her door was always open for a cup of coffee and a game of Greedy.

Surviving are two daughters, Cherie DeRizzo, Ironwood Township, and Colleen (Cookie) Laguna, Montreal, Wis .; five grandchildren, Tracy Traczyk, Ironwood, Danny DeRizzo, Tomahawk, Wis., Brad (Cheri) Schulze and Gary Laguna, both of Hurley, Wis., and Sheri (Brian) Harten, Anchorage, Alaska; 10 great-grandchildren, Danielle Traczyk, Kali Traczyk, Mason Schulze, Elaina Schulze, Gibson Schulze, John Symons, Piper Symons, Jacob Zeller, Andrew Laguna and Valerie Laguna; a sister, Carol (Roland) Lindberg, Ironwood Township; special sisters-in-law, Venita Bahun, Ironwood, and Mary Leinonen, Northport, Fla .; and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Elaine was preceded in death by her son, Gary, on Aug. 18, 2009; son-in-law, Dan DeRizzo, in 1996; sister, Gloria Leinonen, in childhood; and brother, Vernon Leinonen, in 2013.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 14, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church, 100 W. Midland Ave., in Ironwood, with Pastor Kurt Kovanen officiating.

Committal will take place at the church, with luncheon to follow in the church fellowship hall.

Private interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

Pallbearers will be Cookie Laguna, Danny DeRizzo, Brad Schulze, Mason Schulze, Don Jossart and Bucky Laguna.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church.

McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Inc., Ironwood, is assisting the family. Elaine's obituary can be viewed online and condolences given to her family at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.