Marilyn Ellen Wigness, age 90, passed away peacefully at Trillium in Bemidji, MN on Friday, October 9, 2026 with family by her side. Marilyn was born on April 18, 1936 in Grafton, North Dakota to Ellen (Evans) Wralstad and Carl Manvil Wralstad. She grew up on a farm outside of Grafton with her beloved older brother Phillip. Marilyn and Phil attended a one room country school through eighth grade. They walked the two miles to school and back, except in the winter when her dad would harness the plow horses, Freddy and Teddy, to the sleigh to take them to school. Marilyn learned to play the piano by listening to her brother practice his piano lesson and then she would play what she heard by ear. She graduated from Grafton High School in 1954 and went on to attend the Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Grand Forks, ND. Marilyn graduated with honors and received her RN degree in 1957.

Marilyn met Jerry Wigness in the fall of 1954 on a blind date. It was the start of a romance that would last through 68 years of marriage until Jerry’s death in April, 2026. Marilyn thought Jerry was good looking and fun to be around. Jerry sold a calf to buy Marilyn’s engagement ring and they were married on June 9, 1957 at the Grafton Lutheran Church. Marilyn and Jerry moved to Colorado Springs, CO so Jerry could fulfill his ROTC military requirement. Marilyn worked as a clinic nurse and their first two children, Kim and Mike, came along in quick succession. In 1959, Marilyn and Jerry moved to Thief River Falls, MN where they completed their family with the birth of Steve. In 1961, Marilyn began working at the Area Vocational Technical School as an instructor in the LPN program. After nine years of teaching, she was ready for a change and became a book keeper for Bugge’s Union 76 Gas Station. Marilyn’s comment about this experience: “This taught me more about human nature than I ever wanted to know!” In 1973, Marilyn returned to nursing at Northwestern Hospital Services as the Inservice Director and subsequently the Director of Nursing until her retirement in 1992. She felt privileged to work with the nursing staff and took great pride in the quality of care they provided.

Marilyn was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir, played the piano and co-chaired the annual lutefisk dinner with Jerry. She and Jerry led the fundraising committee for the community room at the Ralph Engelstad Area. Marilyn loved playing the piano, golfing, motorcycle trips (only hotels-no tents!), playing card games, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

Marilyn is survived by daughter Kim (Doug) Williams of Bemidji, son Mike (Laura) Wigness of Boise, ID, son Steve (Cathy) Wigness of Chanhassen, MN. Grandchildren Baret (Dane Furfaro) Williams-Furfaro, Kari (Mark Bailey) Williams, Marin (Dustin) Oldenburg, Maggie (Whitney Osborn) Wigness, Paden (Emma Kazian) Wigness, Bailey Wigness, Drew (Sarah) Wigness, Sam (Amy) Wigness, Dylan (Kelsi Skime) Wigness, Nicole (Chris) Sheldon and 13 great grandchildren.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, sister-in-law Mickie Wralstad, brother Phil Wralstad and her loving husband Jerry.

Memorials suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN or the Sanford Health WoodsEdge Campus in Bemidji, MN.

A funeral service for Marilyn will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Christy Klemz officiating. Burial is at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday.