Marion Hamlin, 77, died at 11:53 PM on Saturday, March 06, 2010 at MeritCare Pallatiave Care in Fargo, ND surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, March 13, 2010 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Crookston, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Friday, March 12, 2010 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN.

Marion Marie Bircher was born December 8, 1932 in Neptune, NJ the daughter of Hibbs and Mary (Hubbard) Bircher. She attended schools in New Jersey at Madisquan High School.

On March 9, 1947 Marion was united in marriage to Ralph Isadore Hamlin, Sr. in New Jersey. They made their home in New Jersey and to this union there were eleven children born, Robert, Ralph, Jr., Patricia, Susan, Richard, David, Priscilla, James, Lester, Jeanne and Michael. When she was younger, Marion worked as a car-hop and after she was married, she worked at Fitkin Hospital in Neptune, NJ with patients who had tuberculosis.

In 1961 the family moved to Minnesota where they worked hard and raised their family. Marion was happy that all of her kids were close and she instilled the value of hard work and the working family unit. Marion was most happy with all of her children around her. Taking care of her children was her pride and joy. She loved the times when her kids were younger and watching them grow into productive young adults with their own families whom she dearly loved also.

She worked at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls for 17 years. Marion later worked for V.I.P. in Thief River Falls where she was an advocate for battered women. She enjoyed her job with V.I.P. very much and took pride in knowing that she could make a difference. She also worked at Oakland Park Nursing Home in Thief River Falls where she retired in 1993 and went on to be a senior companion to the elderly.

In 1987, Marion went back to school at Northland College in Thief River Falls. She took a variety of courses in law enforcement, social services, computers, and all available courses she could take; and graduated with honors.

Ralph became ill in 1986 and Marion stayed by his side to care for him until he died in 1992. She then enjoyed taking trips to visit family, went trucking over the road with her oldest son, Robert; and at home spent much of her time reading and doing crossword puzzles, visiting with friends, watching old time movies and especially spending time with her children and grandchildren. Holidays were a very special time with family.

Survivors include eleven children, Robert (Victoria) Hamlin of Council Bluffs, IA, Ralph Hamlin, Jr. of Thief River Falls, Patricia (Steven) Cooley of Watertown, SD, Susan Penn of Moorhead, MN, Richard Hamlin of Pine River, MN, David Hamlin of Pine River, MN, Priscilla Hodgson of Moorhead, MN, James Hamlin of Phoenix, AZ, Lester (Stasia) Hamlin of Oklahoma City, OK, Jeanne (Brian) Wilde of Thief River Falls, MN and Michael Hamlin of Thief River Falls, MN; 63 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; sister, Della (Theodore) Hill of Wall, NJ; brother, Paul (Nancy) Bircher of North Carolina; half-sister, Eva Mae Bircher of New York; her cat, Dustmop; and many other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; and granddaughter, Darla Kay Hamlin.