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Keith Edward Swanson, 65, of 431 East Arch Street, Marquette, died early Saturday morning, July 30, 2011, at Marquette General Hospital.

Keith was born July 28, 1946, in Marquette, Michigan, the son of Eugene and Joan (Fitzgerald) Swanson. He was raised in Marquette and Iron Mountain. He graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1965; The University of Michigan with a Bachelors' degree in Political Science (1969) and The University of Michigan Law School (1972).

In 1975, he married June (DeRoche) Swanson, and together they raised three children. Keith practiced law in Marquette for almost 40 years. He was a member of the State of Michigan Bar Association, the Marquette County Bar Association and the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel.

Some of Keith's happiest times were spent with his dogs out grouse hunting, and he was an active member of the Ruffed Grouse Society. He acted as counsel to the Hiawatha Music Coop since it was first organized and proudly talked about having enjoyed 32 years of the Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival, especially once it moved to the Tourist Park in Marquette. He waited all year to attend Art on the Rocks and Outback and enjoyed supporting local artists. The University of Michigan football team and the Green Bay Packers had his support through the good years and the bad, but his true sports passion was Northern Michigan University hockey.

Everyone who knew Keith will remember fondly his enthusiasm for telling stories and his ability to tell about his favorite meals until he made your mouth water. His 35-year marriage to June gave him ample opportunity to enjoy her cooking skills and he routinely bragged about what she had made him. His pride in and love for his family was boundless.

In addition to June, Keith is survived by his three children, Jasmine (Chris) Schmidt of Milwaukee, Janet (Brian) Anderson of Marquette, and Jason (Amanda) Swanson of Ishpeming; his four grandchildren, Claire and Jacob Anderson of Marquette and Hannah and Micah Schmidt of Milwaukee; his mother Joan Fitzgerald Swanson of Iron Mountain; his sister Joanne (Jeff) Cowell of Iron Mountain; and June's siblings Jo DeRoche of Big Bay, Chuck (Peggy Darmody) Blohm of Shoreview, Minnesota, Bill Blohm of Marquette and Larry Blohm of Gaylord who considered him a brother.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday August 6, 2011, at Messiah Lutheran Church on Magnetic Street in Marquette. A reception will follow at Magnuson Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Liberty Children's Art Project, PO Box 663, Marquette, MI 49855 or the Hiawatha Music Cooperative, 129 West Baraga Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855. The Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is serving the family where condolences may be expressed online at www.swansonlundquistfuneralhome.com.