Mary Jean (Swartout) Topping, 75, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2023, wrapped in the arms of her three sons who were visiting when she slipped away.
Mary was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in her 30’s and suffered two strokes over the past eight years. At the time of her death, Mary was residing at the Superior Rehab and Nursing Center, Superior, WI, where she had lived since 2017.
Mary was born in Brainerd, MN, on April 19, 1948, to Henry and Cecelia Swartout. She spent her early years in Brainerd and then, along with five older brothers and one younger sister, she moved to Duluth, where her parents welcomed three more sisters and another brother into the family, bringing the number of Swartout children to eleven.
In Duluth, Mary attended St. James Catholic School and was a 1966 Denfeld High School graduate. Mary also received Adult Education Certificates in Early Childhood Care and Merchandising Checker/Cashier from the Indianhead Technical Institute of Superior, WI.
Mary was employed at St. Mary’s Hospital, Superior, where she was a member of AFSCME Local 1760. Mary worked until her MS disabilities reached the point where she was forced to medically retire. After her retirement, Mary remained a member of the St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary Corps for several years.
One of Mary’s favorite things to do was playing bingo; she was more than happy to tag along whenever anyone was going and was able to take her with them. Sadly, in the last few years, Mary was not able to attend any bingo games since, due to her MS, she was unable to walk. Mary also enjoyed reading and doing word puzzles but then her two strokes took away the ability for her to read her favorite books.
Mary was preceded in death by her second husband, Timothy Topping; her parents, Henry and Cecelia; and four brothers, Henry II, Edward, Jerome, and Francis.
Mary is survived by her three sons, Kenneth Sedlachek III of Superior, WI, Charles Sedlachek and Ronald Sedlachek of Green Bay, WI; a step-daughter, Trac Topping of Superior, WI; two brothers, Ken (Jean) Swartout of Council Bluffs, IA and William (Ursula) Swartout of Onalaska, WI; four sisters, Linda (Peter) Michalski of Marquette, MI, Nancy Swartout of Duluth, MN, Susan (Gilbert) Keene of Marathon City, WI, and Kathleen Hamilton of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada; and one step-sister, Charlene Abel of Hanover, IN. Mary is also survived by eight grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews on both sides of her family.
A Celebration of Life for Mary will take place during the 2024 Swartout Family Reunion; information will be provided when details are finalized.
The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5th Street in Superior, is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a condolence or sign the guest book, please visit www.lenroot-maetzold.com.
