Obituary: Margaret Mary (Wardle) Swiggum - Class of 1964

BLANCHARDVILLE - Margaret Mary Swiggum, age 59, of Blanchardville, died on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2005, at the home of her sister, in Sauk City. She was born on Sept. 9, 1946, in Madison, to Jack and Mary (Maloney) Wardle. She grew up in Madison, attending the St. James Catholic School, Madison, and Central High School, Madison, graduating in 1964. She worked at St. Marys Hospital, Madison, in the dietary department, then Madison General Hospital, and then back to St. Marys Hospital. Margaret was married on June 15, 1972, at the Blanchardville Lutheran Church Parsonage to Dennis Swiggum. She lived and worked on the Swiggum farm with Dennis until they were divorced in 1991. She worked at Argyle Industries from November 1992 until they closed in September 2002. Margaret enjoyed horseback riding, country music and playing outside with her grandchildren. Margaret is survived by four children, Jack (Sceone) Gard of Evansville, Adam "Scott" Swiggum of Blanchardville, Tami Lynn Swiggum of Blanchardville, and Daniel Eric Swiggum of Blanchardville; three sisters, Susan (Kenneth) Kaether of Brooklyn, Marilyn Smith of Sauk City, and Kathleen (Randy) Gilbertson, of North Leeds; six grandchildren, Michael, Nicole and Andrew Gard, Allison Swiggum, Tyler Whittenbach and Logan Swiggum; and her former husband, Dennis Swiggum of Blanchardville. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005, at 11 a.m. at the BLANCHARDVILLE LUTHERAN CHURCH. The Rev. Mark Gruner of the Pecatonica Lutheran Parish will officiate. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery in Blanchardville. Friends may call on Monday, Dec. 26, 2005, from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the SAETHER FUNERAL HOME, Blanchardville.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 24, 2005