Marilyn Kay Nelson, age 58, of Bemidji, Minn., died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008, in Bemidji.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at Cease Family Funeral Home, Bemidji.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at Cease Family Funeral Home, Bemidji, and one hour prior to services Saturday.
Marilyn was born May 29, 1950, in Fergus Falls, Minn., to Selmer J. and Pearl M. (Olson) Nelson.
She graduated from Underwood High School in 1968, and from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., in 1972 with a double major in psychology and philosophy. Marilyn worked for the State of North Dakota until 1979, when she was appointed to the position of human resource director for Beltrami County.
She loved the lake — especially when she caught walleye and cooked it for friends and family. She was a fabulous cook who followed a recipe exactly and then loved to experiment with spices. Her Scandinavian heritage inspired her to create a lefse recipe that was the best, according to the friends and family who enjoyed her generosity. Marilyn’s quiet and gentle spirit brought peace to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.
Marilyn is survived by her partner of 15 years, Cynthia Cordrey of Bemidji, Minn.; brother, Gary (Sharon) Nelson of Bentonville, Ariz.; sister, Carole (Robert) Zabell of Shoreview, Minn.; niece, Karine (Tom) Lewandowski of LaCeiba, Honduras; nephews, Christopher Nelson of Baxter, Minn. and Joseph (Laura) Zabell of North Liberty, Iowa; and numerous cousins and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and her beloved dog, “Pearl.”