Marilyn Jeanette (Hemmes) Sylling, age 79, went from her earthly home to her heavenly home on November 14, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She was born February 10, 1944, the first of five children of Wilbert and Esther (Jurgens) Hemmes and was raised in Humboldt, Minn. Her family grew into a big “yours, mine and ours” crew after her mother died at a young age, her father remarried, and she gained five siblings, with three more following later.
At the wedding of her friend Carlene to Andrew Sylling, Marilyn met and later married Andrew’s brother Karl during a blizzard on November 27, 1965, in Humboldt. People used tractors to get to the church and the newlyweds had to be rescued from their car in the ditch on the way home from the ceremony.
Marilyn and Karl raised their four children on their farm outside of Spring Grove, in Wilmington Township. She was a hard worker, both on the farm and in her various jobs over the years including at the Caledonia Argus, Rippe, Hammell and Murphy law office, and various bookkeeping positions. She also served as an election judge for many years, but her favorite job was being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She even learned to Snapchat with her grandkids, and they cherished her kindness, positive attitude and great advice.
She loved music, playing piano, organ, and accordion, and singing in church choirs. She was very faithful and enjoyed her various church groups. She also enjoyed regular get-togethers with her friends, reading and traveling; especially her trips to Hawaii and Israel. She sewed stuffed animals and clothes for her kids when they were young, was an excellent cook and baker, and made countless fun birthday cakes for her kids and grandkids. Despite her all-German heritage, she learned to adjust to Karl’s Norwegian taste buds, making lefse, krumkake, rommegrot, and, unbelievably, she even loved lutefisk!
Marilyn truly enjoyed her last rides in their new/old 1957 Ford Fairlane just a few weeks ago… the same car she and Karl had when they were first married.
She was greeted in heaven by her parents, sisters Eileen Hemmes and Judy Schneider, and brothers Fran Gooselaw and Todd Hemmes.
She will be dearly missed by her husband of 58 years, Karl; her sons Myron (Nikki) Sylling and Mikal (Amy) Sylling of Spring Grove, Minn.; her daughters Karla (Hein) Bloem of Houston, Minn., and Karen (Mark) Ryan of Lake City, Minn.; grandchildren Kaylin (Josh) Hartzell, Madie and Jack Ryan, Camron Sylling, Cooper and Austin Sylling; great-grandchildren Kannon and Kayson Hartzell, honorary granddaughter Taylor Brown, and siblings Reggie Hemmes, Brad (Sue) Hemmes, Marshal (Lorna) Hemmes, Jack (Sandy) Gooselaw, Debbie (Jake) Kopylov, Denise Gruber, Darlyce Hemmes and Greg (Kim) Hemmes; and a boatload of nieces and nephews.
To honor Marilyn’s wishes, there will be no funeral or visitation. Blessed be her memory.
Roble Funeral Home of Spring Grove is assisting the family with arrangements.
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