Geraldine McNulty MacSwain Butkiewicz, age 84, of Merrill, died Friday, March 28, 2014, at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill.
Geraldine was born Aug. 25, 1929, to Edward and Anne (Phillips) McNulty in Superior, WI, the youngest of four children. She graduated June 1947 from Cathedral High School. Gerry was proud to have been baptized, made her First Communion, her confirmation, her graduation and was married at her home parish – Cathedral of Christ the King. During her teen years, Gerry was involved as a cheerleader, club leader, CCD instructor and worked at Woolworth’s.
After high school graduation, Gerry enrolled at Superior State College but fate intervened. A doctor was looking for an office assistant who could take shorthand. Her brother recommended his sister and she was hired for the summer. However, she liked her job so much she dropped her plans for college. It turned out that is where she met her future husband, Bob. Robert Walker MacSwain from Merrill was an army recruiter who twice a week brought men in for their physicals. Their first date was in October and Bob proposed the day after Thanksgiving. They were married in July 1949.
Their first child, Mary Olivia was born June 1950, but died shortly after birth. Later that year, they moved to Merrill and started farming. Gerry began working at Len Schmidt’s law office until starting her family. She then became a stay-at-home Mom to raise their five boys and one girl. She was busy with school activities including PTO and room mother. She was also Nutrition Leader for the Pine River Peppers 4-H Club. Gerry enjoyed the wonderful summers when the Chicago relatives came to visit.
After 25 years Gerry returned to work as a receptionist at Anson-Gilkey and was promoted to Executive Secretary to the President. She stayed there until the company closed.
In May 1981, Bob died suddenly. Gerry returned to the work force, finding a job in the office at Northern Wire, where she worked until her retirement in 1993.
Gerry was lucky to have found love again when she met Arnold Butkiewicz from Tomahawk. They married in 1987 and he passed away in 1997. She felt very honored that both her husbands proposed within a month of meeting her.
Gerry’s favorite activities included reading, dancing, shopping, board games, playing cards, going to the casinos and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was an active member of Handy Hannah’s Homemakers Club, Heller Club, Happy Couples, Tuesday Girls Card Club, and St. Roberts/St. Francis Church.
Gerry is survived by her son, Steve, Marshfield WI; daughter, MaryJo (Bill Colwell) Park Ridge, IL; and sons Rob (Julie), Stillwater MN, Donald, Merrill, and Jim (Ellen), Hudson, WI; her grandchildren, Dan, Raquel, Walker, Chandler, Sloane and Adaire MacSwain; stepchildren Rita (Larry) Wilson, Newnan GA, Mary Jane Howe, Sue Butkiewicz and Arnie Butkiewicz, Jr., all of Tomahawk. She is also survived by her sister-in-laws Elizabeth McNulty, Emily McNulty and Joan Bloechl.
Gerry was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Truman, Edward and Wayne McNulty, her husbands Robert MacSwain and Arnold Butkiewicz, her daughter, Mary Olivia, and her son, Jack MacSwain.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Rezazadeh and Renee of the Oncology Department, and the Radiology Department of Aspirus Hospital, Dr Dahm and Dr. Thompson of Marshfield Clinic of Merrill for their care and compassion through her decade of fighting cancer. Special thanks to the wonderful care at Bell Tower and Ministry Hospice.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Noon on Saturday, April 5, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Merrill. Father Michael McLain is presiding. Interment will follow in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery, Merrill. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill, with a brief prayer service and eulogies starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.