Mary J. Calkins

Mary J. Calkins, 77, town of Lafayette, passed away peacefully at Marshfield Hospital in Eau Claire, WI, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

I lost the best mom I could have ever had. The one who loved me unconditionally, and when I challenged that love, she made sure that I knew that she would always love me.

She played Barbie and Cher with me and my dolls, spent hours sitting on the couch with me coloring my coloring books and reading stories. She even taught me how to play that challenging game of 52 pick-up. She also made sure that I learned how to swim as she was afraid of water.

Mary was born on November 6th, 1948, in Chippewa Falls to William (Bill) and Marie (Wolfe) Sweitzer. She was the fifth out of six children. They grew up on Broadway Street in Chippewa Falls and spent her childhood exploring in Irvine Park and helping in her mother's large garden. She said that picking all those raspberries had ruined her desire to ever eat one again.

Mom graduated from Chi-Hi in 1967 and later met my dad Jerry, who swept her off her feet. They eloped and were married on July 1st, 1968, and moved to Manitowoc, WI. My brother Gary Alan was born on October 23, 1968, and tragically passed away on November 25, 1968. I came along a couple of years later.

In 1974 we packed up the station wagon, and pick-up truck and moved to Chippewa Falls. My parents both remained in the same residence until their passing.

Mom started her long 30-year career at Nelson Filter in 1978, retiring in 2008. During her time there, she met some great friends, who she still met up with from time to time, when everyone’s schedule would allow.

Mom loved spending time with her grandsons, Matt and Sawyer, going shopping to get something special, picking out their school supplies, and especially going out to eat and then hitting the movie theatre.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents. My dad Jerry (Gerald) Calkins, on February 21, 2025. Son Gary Alan, sister, Linda Chapek, sisters-in-law Patricia Sweitzer and Julie Albrecht, brothers-in-law Howard Welter and Roy Calkins, as well as a niece and two nephews.

She will be missed by her daughter Dawn (Bryon), Nesvacil, grandson Matthew and his son Huxton, grandson Sawyer, his wife Brianna, and their sons Colter and Brooks. Sisters Connie Welter, Barbara Taylor, and Marty DeMoe, as well as her brother John Sweitzer, several nieces and nephews, and her cat Maggie May. She is also survived by her best friend Carol Rudi, and special friends Sandy O’Connell and Kathy Engel.

I want to say thank you to my Aunt Marty and my husband Bryon who stayed with my mom and I during her final journey. I love you both.

We will be having a celebration of Love later to celebrate the love that she had for all of us and to celebrate our love for her. I love you mom.