Marlys Wickstrom, age 89, formerly of Isanti, died February 21, 2024, at BeeHive Homes of Maple Grove surrounded by family. Private burial was at Union Cemetery in Isanti, MN. Celebration of Life Saturday, March 16, 2024, between 12 Noon – 3:00 PM at Isanti County Historical Society, 33525 Flanders St NE, Cambridge, MN. A light lunch buffet will be served. The family would cherish your favorite memories of Marlys. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Isanti County Historical Society www.isanticountyhistory.org or Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org.
Marlys Wickstrom was born November 20, 1934, in Minneapolis, MN, to Emil and Agnes Wallin. The family moved to Isanti, MN, in the mid-1940s. Following graduation from Cambridge High School, Marlys pursued a career in Minneapolis. She married Charles Wickstrom in 1956 and worked as a secretary in the Cambridge-Isanti school district from 1968 to 1993.
After retirement, Marlys accomplished a lifelong goal of attending college. In 1995 she attained an Associate of Arts degree, emphasis in journalism, graduating with honors from Cambridge Community College.
Marlys and Chuck lived on their farm just north of Isanti until 1996 when they built a new home and moved to the city of Isanti. In 1998 Marlys co-authored Preserving a Sense of Heritage, the first book chronicling the 100 year history of Isanti. In late 2004, a year after Chuck’s death, she sold her home in Isanti and moved to the western suburbs of Minneapolis, MN, living mostly in Plymouth but also Minnetonka and Maple Grove.
Marlys was cherished as an adept Bible study teacher and contributor of feature stories for local newspapers. She enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, cooking, hospitality, learning, exploring history and her Swedish heritage, playing Scrabble, and traveling the world. She was known for her curiosity, sweet spirit, adorable smile, and strong Christian faith. One of her favorite Bible verses was Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Marlys was preceded in death by loving husband Charles and sister Karin Fenner. Survived by daughters and their husbands Mary Wickstrom (Kerry Peterson), Jill (Mark) Reller, Carol (David) Ottoson; grandsons and their wives Charles (Shana) Reller, Andrew (Amanda) Reller; great-grandchildren Nora Reller, Caden Reller; and many other relatives and friends. She will be greatly missed.
Special thanks to the compassionate, caring staff at BeeHive Homes of Maple Grove.
Mary, Jill, Carol,
We are so very sorry to hear of your mom’s passing, A life well lived!
She will be remembered as a pillar in our community, our school system and our church and she will be deeply missed! Our sincere condolences to you and your families! God’s blessings and peace to you all.
Russ and Jan
So sorry with the Loss of your mother.
My condolences to you and your family.
My prayers are with you and your family.
Blessings,
Scott and Kristi LaRowe
Jill and family, sorry for your loss. I feel grateful to have known your mother. She was the kindest gentle soul,I’ve ever known! Many blessings,thoughts and prayers.Hold onto the great memories,I will! Kari Hoven and family.
Very sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was a wonderful co-worker and a special friend to our family; a true professional in the school system. It was a joy to work with her for so many years. Our prayers are with your family.
Sending prayers for all of you. She was a wonderful lady who was always so kind.
The work she put into creating a book on the history of Isanti for its centennial was amazing and is part of my book collection.
May you find peace in all of your memories you hold in your heart.
May you celebrate the good she did in life and the lessons she left for each of you. I knew her as such a smart and caring person. She left a special memory when as a newcomer to Isanti she was kind and always welcoming. Such a blessing to all.
May you celebrate the good she did in life and the lessons she left for each of you. I knew her as such a smart and caring person. She left a special memory, when as a newcomer to Isanti, she was kind and always welcoming. Such a blessing to all.
I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom. She was one of the first people I met when I moved to Isanti! As she was showing us to my new classroom, she asked if I watched the show Room 222 and proudly announced that was my classroom #! Then I found out you were neighbors and learned how kind she was.
It’s so hard to lose our mom’s. My condolences to Mary, Jill & Carol and your families.
My deepest sympathies in the passing of your sweet mom. I have such fond memories of her in our growing up years at Faith Lutheran. She always had an encouraging word for me. I remember working at your farm and she and you daughters would prepare the best lunches (full dinners actually) and you all would bring lemonade and cookies out to us in the field at midday. What a blessing and Wonderful mom, and a wonderful family. God bless you all
We are sad to hear of Marlys’ death. We hadn’t seen Marlys for awhile but we remember her as a delightful, intelligent person who will be missed.
Jim and Linda Hove
Dear Carol, thank you for letting me know your mom has died. May the angels escort her to heaven and may the angels comfort you and your sisters in your grief.
Take care & God Bless
Love, Judy Sicora
I have good memories of Marlys starting in the 70’s when we were busy working moms and on into retirement years when we lived nearby and had more time to spend together. Her work on the book of Isanti history was superb. A great lady!
The lady that lead me to the
Lord
Sweet Marlys indeed. She always had a smile, and could tell if a person needed some assistance at the school in Isanti. I have fond memories of her.
God bless you Jill and your family
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy in the the loss of Marlys. So many wonderful memories. Fun loving travel to Naperville to see my daughter in salsa competition, sharing meals or quiet coffee, listening to her share God’s wisdom, praying together through difficult times. Plus So many other precious memories. Praying for you all. I think of her in this verse.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith “
2 Timothy 4:7
We have many fond memories of your mom and are saddened to hear of your loss. She always had a smile and will be remembered fondly as a pillar of the Isanti community and Faith Lutheran.
God bless,
Dennis & Sharon Servaty