Obituary of Marilyn Karren Spagrud

She is survived by her loving husband Ralph, daughter Kathy (Ron) Gow and grandson Bryan; her daughter Karren Brown, grandson Christopher (Tara) Zanidean and great- grandchildren Megan and Ryan; granddaughter Jennifer (Sheldon Dyck) Zanidean and great- granddaughters Patience and Grace Dyck, granddaughter Erin (Berk Neufeld) Zanidean and their father Ed Zanidean; her son Ken (Lori) Brown and grandson Steven Cassie; her sister Helene Zeliznick, her brother Victor (Marjorie) Sawatsky, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, and their families. Marilyn was predeceased by her first husband Neil Brown, her parents Gerhart and Katherine Sawatzky, her beloved step-mother Helene Sawatzky, her sisters Kaye Gilchrist and Anne Vike, her brothers George, John, Jake, and Henry Sawatsky, her nieces Sandra Sawatzky and Brenda Reddekopp, and nephews Andrew Sawatsky and Danny Nelson. Marilyn was born, in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan, on October 20, 1941 to Gerhart and Katherine Sawatzky and joined the family as the youngest of nine children. Tragically, when she was just 22 days old she,and her siblings, lost their mother. The family pulled together to care for this little baby and were blessed when their father married Helene Isaac who accepted and loved the children as her own. Marilyn spent her childhood on the family farm. She attended Suffield School which, as she put it, was ‘a long way to walk in the darkwith the coyotes howling’. She spent time in the summers visiting her older siblings and had very fond memories of her visits to Golden Prairie. After she and her parents moved into town, Marilyn started high school in Gull Lake. Here she met a new group of friends and was thrilled to be ‘from town’. During this time, Marilyn got her first job as a waitress at Speed’s Lunch. She also met and fell in love with Neil Brown and the two were married on November 17, 1958. After a honeymoon in Las Vegas, Marilyn and Neil moved to the Brown family farm homestead. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Katherine in November of 1959 and Karren in September of 1961. In 1963, the farm was sold and the family moved into Gull Lake. Later that year, they moved to Shackleton, Sask. and then returned to Gull Lake in 1964 where they operated the skating rink concession for a short time and then Marilyn went to work at Al’s Bakery. The family was completed, in June of 1969, when their son, Kenneth, was born. Marilyn and Neil opened the Gull Lake Food Centre in 1970. The operated the store until it was sold in 1973. After the sale of the store, Marilyn went to work at the Clarendon Hotel. In 1977, Marilyn accepted a job as a cook at the Gull Lake Union Hospital. She remained at the hospital for 17 years, working her way up to Head Cook. After the hospital was closed in 1994, Marilyn finally had the opportunity to pursueher passions. She took up painting, flower gardening, quilting,and spending time with her grandchildren. She volunteered at wellness clinics and enjoyed driving the seniors’ taxi. She also assisted Neil with the operation of M&N Antiques. Following Neil’s passing, in January of 2008, Marilyn adjusted to life on her own and did a bit of traveling with her friends. During one of these trips, she became reacquainted with an old and dear friend. With the blessing of her family and friends, she married Ralph Spagrud on November 28, 2009 and they started their new lives together. Marilyn and Ralph loved to travel, making trips in Saskatchewan, Medicine Hat, Calgary, Vancouver Island, the Redwood Forest,Yuma, and to Hawaii. After their trip to Hawaii, Marilyn was diagnosed with cancer. With Ralph by her side and with the support of her family, she fought the battle bravely and joyously received the news that she had won and was in remission. Sadly, and suddenly, we lost her on February 19, 2012. Marilyn was a wonderful wife and mother. She loved her family and her friends unconditionally and treated everyone she met with kindness and respect. She bravely proved to all of us that Life really is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it IS about dancing in the rain. In her honor, may the band play on. We love you Mom…..Forever!! Funeral Services were held at the Elks Hall in Gull Lake on February 24, 2012with Pastor Gord Willison officiating. Pall Bearers were Christopher Zanidean, Ed Zanidean, Russell Sawatsky, Berk Neufeld, Wayne Spagrud and Sheldon Dyck. A private interment of her cremated remains will take place at a later date. Those wishing to do so are invited to make a donation in Marilyn’s memory to the Gull Lake Ambulance or to the Gull Lake Health Centre Auxiliary. For further information or to sign the family book of condolence, visit our website at www.parksidefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Parkside Memorial Funeral Home.