Wenona Ann (Wilson) Malberg was born in Greenbush, MN, on April 22, 1937, to Hardis and Louella (Stenberg) Wilson. Known as Bunny, she was baptized in the Lutheran faith and later confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN. She passed away peacefully at home on February 15, 2026, after celebrating Valentine’s Day with her beloved husband, Kermit.

Bunny grew up on her family's farm in Strathcona, MN, where she made many memories with her animal friends, including the well-loved chicken in the wagon story. When she was in first grade, her family moved to West Eighth Street in Thief River Falls, bringing their modest house with them, which still stands today. Life was simple and sometimes hard, with no running water and her father working both on the farm and away on the ALCAN Highway. Her mother worked hard in the garden, cooked, baked, canned, raised chickens, milked their cow, and always set a welcoming table with delicious homemade food. Bunny remembered sitting in class at Washington Elementary, hearing the teacher call out "Wenona" and not realizing at first that it was her own name. Her birth name, Wenona—a Sioux word for “firstborn daughter”—was soon replaced after her birth with Bunny, since she was born near Easter and was as cute as a bunny.

Bunny made close friends in her neighborhood, especially with the Klopp family and her dear friend Alice, which helped her circle of friends grow even though she described herself as shy. She treasured these friendships and often shared stories about them. Bunny was known for her sharp memory, her many friends, marching and traveling with the Bridgeman Halfpints drum and majorette corps, and dancing at halls across Northwestern MN. After high school, she moved to St. Paul with her girlfriends, starting her life as an independent, working young woman. She brought happiness to the fast-pitch softball wives, her Pack 59 friends, Birthday Club members, her Class of '55 classmates, work colleagues, and many others she met and remembered as a local girl.

Bunny met Kermit at a fast-pitch softball game at Carpenter's Corner, and Kermit always said it was love at first sight for him. They married at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls on August 31, 1957, then moved to St. Paul, MN, where they started their family with their first son, Mike. Later, they returned to Thief River Falls, where Dan and Patti were born, and spent a short time in Williams, MN, where Kermit worked on a mink farm, and Dee Dee was born. The family eventually settled back in Thief River Falls on East Eighth Street when Bunny's mother became ill. Bunny, who called herself a "Daddy's Girl," was devoted to caring for her father. She and Kermit showed their children the importance of loving and caring for elderly family members.

People in Thief River Falls will remember Bunny for the way she touched lives and gave to others every day. In an article by Sherry LaCoursiere, "... I Miss Bunny at the Times," she wrote, "She was the Official Greeter of the Times, with her friendly face and smile behind that tall counter. Everybody wanted Bunny's help. They were willing to stand and wait patiently so that she could be the person who did whatever it was they needed. Sometimes I think people came in just to have a little chat with Bunny."

Bunny made a difference in many lives through her volunteering with the Hospital Auxiliary, her work as a member and contributor at Zion Lutheran Church, and as Den Mother in Pack 59,

starting with her sons Mike and Dan and continuing for 10 years, guiding many boys through Cub Scouts. She was also a record-setting blood donor, often called in at any hour to help those in need. Bunny worked at Montgomery Ward's with her close friend Evie for 20 years, always charming people with her warmth and smile. After Arctic Enterprises closed in 1980, she joined the Thief River Falls Times, providing insurance while Kermit learned and later ran the local shoe repair shop. Bunny retired in the spring of 2001.

Bunny loved writing letters and often used the mail to stay connected with people. The recent book, "The Correspondent," reflects her approach to letter writing—using notes and letters to show people how much she cared. She wrote letters every week, whether to her children, grandchildren, a sister-in-law in Arizona, or an old friend in Thief River Falls, even though she lived nearby. Writing was her favorite way to communicate until she could no longer write because of pain from a stroke.

Bunny’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren remember her homemade buns, cookies, Crazy Cake, Oh Boy Waffles, potato salad, fried chicken, and perfectly fried fresh-caught walleye. Grandma Bunny always made time to play, talk, share stories, and cook for each of them at her home. The quilts she made in retirement were so heavy it was hard to pull them back, but they kept everyone warm and cozy.

Bunny is lovingly remembered by her husband of 68 years, Kermit, and their children: Mike Malberg and his wife Rachael of Grand Rapids, MN; Dan Malberg of Bozeman, MT; Patti Malberg and her husband Donald Liu of Eden Prairie, MN; and Dee Dee Melander and her husband Mark of Apple Valley, MN. She is also survived by her grandchildren and their families: Sybil and Matthew Ruder and their children, Theo and Wenona (Marcel, MN); Drew and Sarah Wigness and their sons Soren and Halsten (Champlin, MN); Sam and Amy Wigness and their children, Tinsley and Turner (Bonney Lake, WA); Dylan Wigness and Kelsi Skime (Bemidji, MN); Ian and Lindsay Melander and their sons Decklan and Kieran (Edina, MN); Brock Melander and Ashley Flavin and Brock’s son Kail (Hopkins, MN); and Mckenzie and Jared Johnston and their daughter, Collins Marie (Newport, MN). Her loving nieces and their families—Kim Wilson (MT), Louella Leblanc and her partner Tim Hoskins (TX), Barbara Thurber (AZ), and Kay and Bob Coker (AZ)—also remember her fondly, as do her dear friends JoAnn, MaryAnn, Evie, Colleen, and many others who hold her in their hearts.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hardis and Louella Wilson; her brothers Rodney and infant brother Harris; and Hardis’s second wife, Ann. She is also preceded by her in-laws, Hubert and Edith (Edwards) Malberg; her brothers- and sisters-in-law, Veryl and Dee Malberg, Jim and Dale Malberg; and many aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, relatives, dear friends, and cherished pets.

The family will honor Bunny with a private celebration at a later date.