Marilyn Klahn

A celebration of her life will take place via Zoom (similar to Apple Facetime) on Tuesday, July 21 at 1:00 PM. To participate please RSVP to Sarah Klahn at sannk06@gmail.com.

Marilyn was born in Earlham, Iowa, in the middle of a blizzard on March 21, 1932. Her family moved to Mason City, Iowa while she was still an infant and she graduated high school and matriculated at the Iowa State Teachers College. After obtaining her teaching certificate she began teaching kindergarten in Central City, Iowa, where she met the best friend and love of her life, Richard Klahn.

In her telling of the story, it was towards the end of her second year teaching and she had told the principal she would resign at the end of the year to move to a larger community (more eligible men). However, a few days later, while she was supervising recess, a handsome man with curly black hair crossed the school yard. He was dressed in a suit and carrying a briefcase and she knew he wasn’t a parent of any of the students. She followed him inside and up to the principal’s office where she heard Richard introduce himself and say he had come to interview for the band director position. The principal saw her in the doorway and asked her if he could help with anything and she said: “I just wanted to let you know I’ve decided to stay.” After what they both described as a “whirlwind” 5-year long courtship, they married in Mason City, Iowa, on June 9, 1956 and had 52 years of adventures. Sarah and Joel were born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Subsequently, Marilyn made homes for her family first in Sterling, Illinois, then Des Moines, Iowa, then Springfield Illinois, before finally moving to Marquette in 1977.

She often recalled the first visit to Marquette where she was impressed by the natural beauty of Lake Superior and the surrounding woods, and dismayed by the shopping options (she especially recalled a visit to Jupiter, the “variety store” downtown that closed not long after she moved here). After getting her bearings, she went to work as the Christian Education Director for the First Presbyterian Church for 10 years under Pastor Mike Foley. She and several others part of formed a drop-in childcare center that was called This Morning’s For You, which operated for over 20 years and filled an important gap in childcare options, particularly for low income families.

She would often greet someone on the street and then say “that young person used to come to This Morning’s For You”. These professional activities reflected her lifelong connection to children of all kinds, but that connection continued into her later years, when she enjoyed getting to know the children in the neighborhood, many of whom would stop by and visit her on their way to the park or the beach.

In the community, Marilyn had many and diverse interests which she supported with time and money. She was a major supporter of Planned Parenthood, and received several awards for her volunteer efforts. Marilyn captained the AAUW book sale until a couple of years ago, and after she retired from that leadership role, continued her involvement by volunteering her sunporch as a place to store donated books prior to the book sale. She also volunteered for many years at the Marquette Historical Society. She was an avid supporter of the UP200, including contributing her handmade quilts to the silent auction. She was a longtime sustaining member of WNMU, and the tag line on Night Studio citing Marilyn Klahn as a contributor “in memory of Richard” continues.

Marilyn was a force of nature. She was many things to many people – the substitute Grandma, the replacement Mom, the dear close friend who could be counted on for spontaneous adventures. She felt and believed all things with passion and was not shy in sharing her opinions (as her children – sometimes on the receiving end of a negative performance review – would attest.) But above all she was a loving and supportive partner to Richard and mother, grandparent and friend. She encouraged her children Joel and Sarah as well as her grandchildren to create their own paths in life, rather than rely on the well-trodden. She also had a special connection to children of all kinds, and was a favorite of the neighborhood children.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband and best friend, Richard.

She is survived by Joel Klahn (Katie), Sarah Klahn (Eyal Sella) and four grandchildren (Luke Freehling, Jariya Freehling, Inbal Sella and Lotem Sella), her loving grand-dogs, Chico and Stella and throngs of friends in Marquette and beyond. She will be sorely missed.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com