Marlys (Anderson) Jennings, age 95, of Caledonia, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Claddagh Senior Living in Caledonia.
She was born May 6, 1931, in Winona County, Minnesota, to Clarence and Gertrude (Baarley) Anderson. She and Francis Jennings were united in marriage on August 14, 1954, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Caledonia. They were blessed with 58 years of marriage prior to his passing on June 4, 2013.
Marlys’ first priority was her family, which she loved unconditionally. She filled her days providing day care for numerous children over the years, including her grandchildren. She also loved visiting with friends, gardening, canning and sewing.
Marlys is survived by her four children: Carolyn (Mike) Fitzpatrick, Kathryn (Stephen) Palen, Michael (Colleen) Jennings, and Ann (Chris) Diersen; 13 grandchildren: Christopher Fitzpatrick (Jen), David (Jenny) Fitzpatrick, Jeni (Jon) Slama, Adam (Leah) Palen, Lyndsey (Nick) Crossley, Jill (Steve) Tacl, Alyssa (Dan) Petersen, Alexa (John) Grupa, Jestin (Jenny) Jennings, Grace Jennings (Jayden), Reese Diersen (Emma), Riley Diersen (Libby), and Henry Diersen. She is further survived by 20 great-grandchildren, one sister, Sandie (Keith) Comstock; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her grandson Jeremee Jennings, and her siblings: Gynther, Irving, Matthew, Stanley, Paul, Clarence, Elmira, O’Donna and Etta.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Monday, September 21 at 11 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Caledonia, with a visitation from 9:30–10:45 a.m. in Holy Family Hall. The family will proceed to the church at 10:45 a.m., where a eulogy will be given. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia.
The family would like to thank the Gundersen Hospice staff for their support and compassion and also the amazing staff at Claddagh Senior Living for the care provided to Marlys over the past 15 months.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Claddagh Senior Living are greatly appreciated.
McCormick Funeral Home, Caledonia, is assisted the family.
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