MarLynn Ruth Eastlund

MarLynn Ruth Eastlund was born in Grenora, North Dakota, on April 16, 1929, the oldest child of Arthur and Ruth (Hanse) Tangen. The family later moved to Alexandria, Minnesota, where in 1947 MarLynn graduated from Central High School. MarLynn then attended St. Cloud State University for one year. After school, she worked at her dad’s music store. In 1949 she met Floyd Eastlund, they married on July 10, 1950. To this union two children were born, Kathryn Ruth and Elizabeth Ruth. For over 50 years MarLynn worked with her true passion, flowers and people. She, often times, was the first “smiling” voice you heard when you called the florist. MarLynn was a hardworking, caring person who would greet you at her home with, “Are you hungry?” She absolutely loved to entertain and cook for others. She was famous for her lemon meringue pie, sweet pickles, pork roast dinners, Christmas cookies, amongst many other things. And yes, she did have other loves such as crocheting blankets for her great-grandchildren, candle wicking and singing. MarLynn grew up in the church surrounded by music from her father, who sang and played violin, a mother who taught piano, a sister who played piano and many aunts and uncles who professionally performed their music talent. MarLynn always believed that we were blessed on this earth to “give” and that “she” certainly did. MarLynn died on Monday April 27, 2015, at the Douglas County Hospital, at the age of 86. She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Ruth Tangen; and infant daughter, Elizabeth Eastlund. She is survived by her husband of sixty-four years, Floyd Eastlund; daughter, Kathy Patton and husband, Alan; son, Robert Peterson and wife Karen; grandchildren, Mark Erickson and wife, Jackie, CJ Erickson and wife, Carly, Jordan Erickson and fiancé, Emily Hoeper, Emalee Erickson and significant other, Cody Gibson, Toni Hadland and husband, Eric, Meridee Rodel and husband, Brian, Bobby Peterson and wife Julie, Ashley Heinecke and husband, Jon, Jill Ellingson and husband JD; great-grandchildren, Carter, Gavin, Sam, Titus, Harper, Kason, Kolden, Sam H., Hannah, Jack, Josie, Maddox and Lily; sister, Katherine “Solveig” (Heilig) Balance and husband Thax. * The family has requested in lieu of flowers that a memorial be given to First Lutheran Church of Alexandria.

MarLynn Ruth Eastlund

April 16, 1929 - April 27, 2015