Marlys Marie was born on January 26th to Henry and Helen (Anderson) Salmela in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was the youngest of three children. Marlys grew up in Minneapolis. She spent her summers in Kingston with her Grandma Sophie while her parents were working. When her family moved to Cokato Marlys spent her teenage years working at the family business, the Cokato Bakery where she made life long friends. The bakery became a loving place filled with countless memories for Marlys and her family. It was where she met her future husband, Dennis. Marlys graduated from Cokato High School in 1950.
Marlys married Dennis Ortquist on January 13th, 1952. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage together (62 of them spent in the same house) and had 8 children, 25 grandchildren, and 49 great grandchildren.
Marlys loved her community and volunteered her time with the Cokato Nursing Home, Meals on Wheels, the American Legion, Eastern Star, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was an active member of her church and enjoyed being able to give back to her church family. She was employed by 3M for 25 years, but the title she cherished the most was Mom. She loved spending time with her family, whether that included shopping trips, coffee parties, or family trips to have countless laughs together. Holidays brought joy and memories for Marlys. Christmas held a special spot in her heart which she shared with her family.
Marlys Died peacefully on December 15th, 2024 surrounded by her loving family.
She is survived by her children Rene Ortquist, Robin (Tim) Kelly, Rise (Ron) Beckman, Rori (Doug) Carlson, Ruthie (Ron) Klima, Reid (Cheryl) Ortquist, Rahn (Pamela) Ortquist, Raquel (Chad) Kirchoff, Blake (Nick) Mullen, 25 grandchildren, and 49 great grandchildren.
Marlys is preceded in death by her husband Dennis, parents (Henry and Helen,) brother Roger Salmela and baby boy Salmela, granddaughter Ria Beckman, great grandson Austin Carlen, and great granddaughter Nora Klima. Peace be to her memory.
A memorial service will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 20, 2024 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato with visitation 1 hour prior to services at church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato & Howard Lake, MN 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com