Marlene Dorothea Swain

Marlene Dorothea Swain, 88, of the Town of Gibraltar, passed away early Tuesday morning, July 2, 2024, at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay.

She was born April 14, 1936, in Milwaukee, the daughter of Gustav H. Masch and Violet K. (Schoettler) Masch. Marlene attended Shorewood High School and graduated with the class of 1953. She went on to attend nursing school in Milwaukee. Marlene initially worked in doctor offices in the Mequon area before moving to Door County.

Her family moved to Door County and purchased the Bluffside Motel in Sister Bay in 1974. They owned and operated that until the early 2000s in additional to several clothing stores in Ephraim and Sister Bay. 

Marlene was one of the original students in the first rural paramedic class in the nation, August 8, 1980. She was one of the first female paramedics in Door County.

In recent years, Marlene enjoyed the company of her family and dog walks with her close neighborhood friends.

She will be missed by her children, Stacy (Fredric "Fred") Bridenhagen of Ephraim and Gregory "Greg" (Holly) Swain of the Town of Gibraltar; grandchildren, Jason (Stephanie) Swain, Marshal (Jamie) Bridenhagen and Riley (Megan) Bridenhagen, and Megan (Tony Stefanski) Swain and Makayla Swain; great-grandchildren, Morgan (Jaeger) Brusky, Emma and Addison Swain; and other relatives.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents.
     
Her life will be honored privately by family.

"A special thanks to the medical professionals at Serenity Spring Senior Living at Scandia Village and Door County Medical Center who provided exceptional care for Marlene." 

Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Sister Bay is assisting the Swain family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Marlene may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.

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