Denice K Swapp Marschall, 81, passed away on the morning of Saturday, June 13, 2026, in St. George, Utah. She was born in Tampa, Florida, to Clark and Frances Swapp on November 26, 1944.
She is survived by her children and their partners: David (Irma) Luckett, Deana (Andrew) Luckett, Danielle (Michael) Robinson; as well as her four stepchildren: Karen DePaoli, Kathleen (Michele) Marschall, Deborah (John) Korniewicz, and Joanne (Gary) Justiniano. She is also survived by her brother, Duane (Rosemary) Swapp; ten grandchildren: Krystle (Ted) Repony, Travis (Dani) Luckett, Paige (Samuel) Whitehead, Allison Sanchez, Jena Anderson, Bryn Anderson, Braedan (Paizlyn) Robinson, Chase Robinson, Landon Robinson, and Kade Robinson; and her four great-grandchildren: Jayden Luckett, Jackson Krofssik, Graesyn Rogers, and a great-granddaughter Robinson expected this August. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, John Marschall.
When Denice was just a few years old, her family moved to Kanab, Utah, where she lived until graduating from high school. She then worked as a server at Wahweap, Arizona, before moving to Phoenix, Arizona, to attend beauty school. After earning her cosmetology license, she married Lawrence Luckett and remained in Phoenix, where she devoted herself to being a homemaker and raising their three children.
Following her divorce from Lawrence, Denice and her daughters moved to Kanab, where she served as a personal assistant to the Project Director of Global Explorations, a company involved in treasure-hunting expeditions. In one assignment, she assisted with the environmental study at Victorio Peak, a well-known site within the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. She also worked in the front office of the Red Hills Best Western, where she met John Marschall, whom she later married. The couple moved to Kent, Connecticut, for three years, where Denice worked at a bed-and-breakfast. They eventually returned to Kanab, where she worked at Denny’s Wigwam for several years. Later, they retired to St. George, Utah, where they enjoyed traveling, spending time with family, and loved ones.
Denice was raised around cattle ranching and thoroughbred horse racing. She loved the outdoors and was a tomboy at heart. One of her favorite stories to tell was about being one of the first students in her class to own a car—a brown ragtop 1953 Chevrolet convertible with a manual gear shift and no seatbelts. Because the gas gauge didn’t work, she filled up frequently after cruising Kanab’s Main Street to avoid running out of gas. Fortunately, her father owned a mobile gas station and gave her a small discount. He even placed a donation jar on the counter to help fund her fuel expenses.
A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Denice lived by the Christian values that guided her throughout her life. She was friendly, loving, generous, and always helped others in need. Her high school yearbook described her as having: “A jolly disposition and a carefree mind; a happier girl you will never find.” Those words remained true throughout her life.
She loved her family and friends deeply and cherished every opportunity to spend time with them, including traveling to destinations around the world. One of her favorite traditions was reserving rooms at the Best Western in Kanab each summer so family members could gather for a special weekend together. She also enjoyed traveling to Payson, Arizona, to spend time at the Luckett family cabin, where many treasured memories were made. Denice enjoyed walking five miles each morning with her walking group, going to the gym, reading, lunch dates, and watching crime series.
During the last few years of her life, Denice was diagnosed with mild dementia. She struggled with the realization of the disease and worked hard to overcome its effects by moving into a retirement center, staying active, socializing, and keeping busy. As the disease progressed, she eventually moved into a memory care facility. In her final months, she received hospice care focused on her comfort and well-being. She was surrounded by family, friends, and compassionate caregivers at the time of her passing.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Mosdell Mortuary. A burial will follow at the Kanab Cemetery.
The family wishes to express their love and appreciation for the kindness shown during this time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Utah Chapter to support Alzheimer’s and dementia programs, support groups, and research.
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Aunt Denice had such a positive impact in my life. In her presence, I felt cared for and loved. She provided life lessons of doing the right thing, being kind and fair, having a strong character and living life with lots of laughter. I have so many memories of family gatherings where Aunt Denice shared information and stories of our family members and ancestors. She was our family historian and a dedicated mother and grandmother. Our family will miss her dearly.
Denice’s father bought the property next door from my father when we were both quite young and he built the house that stands there still. She was a year ahead of me in school so we didn’t hang out much but occasionally we would go roller skating. Small town virtually NO concrete sidewalks other that down town by the church & drugstores. So we would take our skates and walk down there to skate. One hot day she asked me if i wanted a snow cone, she would buy. Heck YEAH, it was a million degrees outside. So she went into Fenton’s where they had a soda fountain and got us each one. When she came out she said it was cherry coke, hope I didn’t mind. (I HATED coke, nastiest stuff I’ve ever tasted) but it was hot and i scarfed it down. It wasn’t bad at all. After that I started going in for my own cherry coke snow cone. One day they were out of cherry syrup so I orders a regular coke snow cone and I have been hooked on coca cola ever since. Thanks Denice 🙂 for “corrupting me”. But I think of you every time I have a coke. God Bless you and I hope to see you on the other side.