Obituary: Darla Jean Swanson
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Darla Jean Swanson, 73, of Cloquet passed away surrounded by her family on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, at Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton. She was born Nov. 6, 1950, to Percy and Margaret (Schauland) Swanson in Moose Lake. Darla was raised in Blackhoof Township and attended Central School and graduated from Barnum High School in 1968. She furthered her education at the technical school in Duluth and received a nursing degree.
In 1970, Darla married Terry Maki and spent four years traveling to several areas of the country during Terry's air force career. She returned to the area in 1974, and their marriage ended in 1977.
Darla met and later married Marlyn Koski in 1983. They made their home in Cloquet and were blessed with a daughter, Katina. They separated in 2000. Darla was employed as a licensed practical nurse at Nopeming Sanitorium for 28 years prior to its closing in 2002. She went on to work at Chris Jensen for four years and retired in 2006 at the age of 56. Darla was a member of Elim Lutheran Church in Blackhoof, and always looked forward to monthly gatherings with Nopeming employees. She enjoyed traveling to her timeshare in Hawaii with friends and family, and wintering in Florida. Darla also enjoyed time spent at the cabin, where she could admire the lake or participate in watersports. Darla could frequently be found enthralled in one of her soap operas or Lifetime movies; she also enjoyed knitting and crocheting. Darla deeply loved her grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them. She will truly be missed.
Darla is survived by her daughter, Katina Koski; grandchildren, Isabel Witz, Jamien Koski, and Presley Koski; brother Danny (Janel) Swanson; significant other, Gordy Sather; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, especially the many beloved colleagues from Nopeming.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Arne and Richard "Dickie" Swanson; and her two beloved Shih Zhu puppies, Sambo and Sassy.
Visitation was held Wednesday and an 11 a.m. funeral service was planned for Thursday, Feb. 1 at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet. Inurnment will be at Sandy Lake Cemetery in Blackhoof at a later date. To sign an online guestbook, visit http://www.nelsonfuneralcare.net.
Pine Knot News, Feb. 2, 2024
