Marilyn Harthan

Marilyn Rae (O’Brien) Harthan went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 26, 2019. Marilyn was a devout Christian and loved her Lord wholeheartedly. Her life motto was, “For me to live is Christ”. She was born at the family home in Cohasset on July 29, 1935; daughter of Clement and Beth O’Brien. Marilyn grew up in the Cohasset area, attended Cohasset Elementary School, and graduated from Grand Rapids High School. In early Spring of 1953, she was introduced to her future husband, Dale Harthan by mutual friends, Betty (Brink) Severson and Arvid Severson. Dale had returned from Korea the Fall before and was attending the University of Minnesota-Duluth. They were married on August 22, 1953. Marilyn was Clement and Beth’s second child and grew up helping take care of her five younger brothers and sisters. When older, she worked at other jobs such as waitress and telephone operator. She continued to work as a telephone operator until her husband, Dale transferred to the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, MN. She did babysitting jobs there until her oldest son, Mike was born. She then became a full-time homemaker, mom, and wife. After her three older children were in school, she worked at other jobs throughout her life. She was a drug store clerk in Meeker, CO and in Bemidji, MN she served as a front desk clerk at the Holiday Inn, the Super 8 Motel, and was a senior caregiver at the nursing home. She served in children’s ministries most of her life. She taught Sunday School, Bible School, and was a youth leader, Cub Scout den mother, Pioneer Girls leader, and helped with Awana programs. She was a willing volunteer for many programs to help other people. Marilyn participated wholeheartedly in her husband’s life with the U.S. Forest Service. This led her to many varied and interesting places. Upon Dale’s graduation, they moved to Walden, CO for a year and one-half and then to Cody, WY. From there they moved to Greybull, WY. Both the Cody and Greybull positions had summer stations that were many miles from any town. She was a part-time clerk on the Paintrock Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest for two years until a full-time clerk was hired. Other moves were to Meeker, CO, Dubois, WY, and Bemidji, MN. Their last move after retirement was to Philipsburg, MT in 1996 to be near their son, Jerry and his family. Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents, Clement and Beth O’Brien; brother, Terry O’Brien; sister, Sharon (O’Brien) Gardner; brother-in-law, Lee Gardner; and son-in-law, Donald Schmidt, (daughter, Teresa). She is survived by her husband, Dale; children, Mike (Barb) of Aurora, MN, Ron (Dee) of Coleville, WA, Teresa (Gary) Holman of Lake Jackson, TX, and Jerry (Janette) of Stevensville, MT; grandchildren, Clint (Amelia), Matt (Kate), Nicki (Jake), Daniel (Harmony), Kelly, Jeremy, David, Chris (Laura), Pam (Clayton), Curtis (Maegan), Patty (Travis), Jenna (Garrett), Jennifer, and Josh; as well as 19 great-grandchildren; brothers, Clement (Darlene) O’Brien, Robert (Caroline) O’Brien, Keith (Diane) O’Brien; sister, Kathy (Rod) South; as well as many nieces and nephews. Visitation: 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Friday, April 5, 2019 at Andrews-Libbey Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 6, 2019 at Community Bible Chapel, 125 NW 5th St, Cohasset, MN 55721. Memorials to Flint Creek Baptist Church, 40 Travelers Home Lane, Philipsburg, MT, 59858.v ee online family guestbook at www.andrews-libbeyfh.com. Arrangements by Andrews-Libbey Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 520 N.E. 2nd Ave, Grand Rapids, MN 55744, 218-326-4000.