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Martha Leona "Marty" Swenson
May 05, 1948 - Oct 19, 2024

Martha Leona Swenson, “Marty”, passed away peacefully in her apartment in Olathe, KS, on October 19, 2024, after a long battle with multiple myeloma. She was 76 years old.

 

Born on May 5, 1948, in Bowling Green, KY, Marty was the oldest of three children born to Robert and Doris (Hunt) Coppersmith. She graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in modern languages and married Richard Swenson in 1969. Marty said her favorite memory was her summer studying abroad in France. After graduation, Marty worked as a French and Spanish teacher in the Ralston School District near Omaha, NE, for 25 years, and Gross Catholic High School for 5 years.  She always enjoyed taking students on trips to France and Spain.

 

Rich and Marty divorced in 1997, and she remained single the rest of her life. Marty moved from Omaha to the Kansas City-area in 2012 to be closer to her three grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Teresa Coppersmith, and her brother, Bill Coppersmith. She is survived by her son, Kendall Swenson, her daughter, Christina (Matt) Stewart, and her grandchildren, Jackson, Alex, and Madeline.

 

No services are planned. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests you consider donating to multiple myeloma research at lls.org.
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Elizabeth Arledge Oct 22, 2024

Friend ,Liberty ,Missouri

I'm so sorry to hear that and I will keep the whole family in my prayers.

Ann Armstrong Oct 22, 2024

To the Stewart family. So sorry. Am so glad she came to Olathe to be close to her family. So privileged to have gotten to know you thru Fox 4 and Stewart Strong. Please accept my prayers and condolences. Peace be with you.

Rebecca Welte Oct 22, 2024

May your memories be a blessing.

Mary Stover Oct 22, 2024

Friend from Manhattan High School ,Oroville ,California

Marty made everyone feel special. I remember her dearly at school.

Kendra Cooper Oct 22, 2024

Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time of loss♥️♥️🙏🙏

John & Sandy Gilfillan Oct 23, 2024

Old Friends ,Superior ,Colorado

Marty was a unique, caring, talented and loving person who enriched SO MANY LIVES. There was never a more dedicated teacher...she simply "glowed" when she walked into the classroom and each time began a time of wonder for her students. As a friend, she impacted the lives of all of us who were privileged to have her as one. We are better persons because Marty was part of our lives... John & Sandy

Rondi Kinney Oct 27, 2024

Omaha Law Wives ,Omaha ,Nebraska

When our first child was born I recall Marty bringing over dinner. I recall she waited a few weeks because she knew it wouldn’t be easy to adjust to life with a newborn. That was certainly true! I even remember she brought Hawaiian Meatballs and I used her recipe for many years. We also played tennis with Marty and Rich. It was always fun to play with them. I recall that Marty was a dedicated teacher. I always enjoyed spending time with Marty. Our condolences on your loss. Rondi and Mike Kinney

Audrey (Divis) McNamara Oct 28, 2024

Former junior high student ,Papillion ,Nebraska

With sympathy for your family, I am so glad you published Mrs. Swenson's obituary in the Omaha World-Herald. Her name and photo immediately caught my eye, bringing back memories of her as my 8th grade French teacher in 1984 at Ralston Middle School. I can still picture her breezing into the classroom with an engaging smile, pleasant attitude, and her impeccable French filling the room. Her class sparked my decision to take French all four years of my high school career, making it my favorite subject of all my school years. I became a teacher myself, inspired along the way by remarkable human beings like Mrs. Swenson. Prayers for your family as you celebrate a life beautifully lived.