Marilyn Alice Wall

Marilyn “Mar” Alice Wall left her tired body to let her spirit soar on Saturday, August 27th at Solvay Hospice. Mar was blessed to fulfill her wish of living at home for 14 months while on hospice, much of it with her son, John, at her side. Her daughter, Carolyn, was privileged to spend her final days with her and to hold her hand as she departed this world.

Marilyn was born to Ernest Berg and Alice Cecilia Swensen on May 5, 1932 in Upsala, Minnesota. She lived on the family farm and graduated from Upsala High School in 1950. She spent a year at Lutheran Bible Institute followed by attendance and graduation from the nursing program at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital. She also worked as a “summer girl” at a mansion on Lake Minnetonka where she learned to appreciate the finer styles of dining and service. She started her nursing career in labor and delivery at Deaconess Hospital, then worked in the communicable disease ward at Minneapolis General Hospital. She excelled in the challenges of nursing and giving physical and emotional comfort to the people for whom she cared.

She met, fell in love and married Jack Wall in 1960. They relocated to Fargo, North Dakota where he was in residency for OB-GYN, after which they moved to Duluth, Minnesota and were blessed with three children, Carolyn Lea, John Edward and Kathryn Ann.

While concentrating on raising her children and providing a loving home, she also spent time and energy in volunteer activities including health screening for pre-schoolers, the Duluth Symphony Lollipop Concert, sewing innumerable dance costumes, and being involved in other endeavors supporting her community and her family. She supported her children in dance, hockey, band and orchestra.

She was a long term member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd where she belonged to the Miriam Circle, taught Sunday school and was involved in altar guild. She was also a member of Community Bible Study. After her divorce and when the children were older, she returned to her work in nursing

and spent many years at Lakeshore Lutheran Home (now Ecumen Lakeshore) acting in various supervisory roles. She adored being a caregiver and teacher there and finally retired at age 72. She had fond memories and made lasting and loving friendships during her tenure there.

Marilyn was a member of an herb club and was famous for her homemade mustard. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed gourmet cooking club and entertaining. She was an avid gardener and took great pride in her beautiful yard and surroundings. She was a talented seamstress and free time was spent needlepointing, embroidering and crafting.

Though she had losses in her life, most significantly the plane crash that took her daughter Kathryn and son-in-law Charlie Erickson, she chose to focus on the present and the life left around her. Most significant were her grand-daughters Grace and Lily whom she described as the “source of light and life” in her life.

Though her last year was physically challenging, she maintained a sense of humor and a deep appreciation of all that she had. She savored her visits with friends (and her children’s friends), family, as well as the caring hospice staff and clergy. She rarely complained. Until the end, she found blessings and something to be thankful for every day.

Marilyn would want you to know that she was “very proud of and loved her children dearly” and that she “loved the Lord.” Her daily reminder was “I can’t afford to ruin today by worrying about tomorrow.”

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ernest Berg; sister, Carolyn Bethel; daughter, Kathryn Pearson; son in law, Charlie Erickson; and ex-husband, Jack Wall with whom she remained friends.

She is survived by daughter, Carolyn Wall; son, John Wall; sister, Muriel Peterson; grand-daughters, Grace and Lily Pearson; son and daughter in law, Toby and Katie Pearson; as well as many other family and friends whom she held dear. Oh, and Mr. Bill.

Special thanks to staff and friends at Essentia Hospice and Solvay House.

Visitation: from 6-8 pm on Friday, September 23 Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd, 1325 N 45th Ave. E, Duluth. The visitation will continue from 11am to 12 pm on Saturday, September 24 with a celebration of life at 12 pm in the church. Please leave a memory of Marilyn or words of support for the family at www.bellbrothersfuneralhome.com .