Marian Ruby Bagaason was born Nov. 25, 1923, to Arthur and Ruby (Overlie) Throlson in Albert Lea. She attended elementary and high school in Albert Lea, graduating in May 1941. Following her education, she worked at Wilson Meat Packing Company from 1941 to 1945 and then as a secretary to the Dean of Men at St. Olaf College from 1945 to 1948. On Aug. 21, 1946, she was united in marriage to Arthur Bagaason. From this union were born three sons and two daughters. She moved with her pastor husband to Minneapolis, Bricelyn, Owatonna and Rochester as they served congregations in those cities.

After 32 years of marriage, when the children were in school and had graduated, she went back to college to get her degree, graduating from Rochester Community College in 1980 and from Metropolitan University in St. Paul in 1984. She worked in many church- related functions serving as chairperson for the SE Minnesota District Hunger Task Force and was one of 12 representatives from her Lutheran Synod to travel to Nicaragua on a Hunger Justice Task Force. She became an avid social activist speaking to many church and educational groups as well as traveling to Washington, D.C., for protest marches.

Surviving her are three sons and their wives: Mark and Linda of Agoura Hills, Calif., Stephen and Young of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Paul and Marlys of Eden Prairie; two daughters: Sarah and husband David Kise of Minneapolis and Mary Kujanson of Rochester. Also surviving her are eight grandchildren: Erin, Luke, Lauren, Michael, Noah, Ben, Aaron and Samuel; two sisters: Marilyn (Bill) Budde and Jean Barrett of Edina; two sisters-in-law: Anna (Charles) Gathje of Rochester and Arline Bagaason of Sioux Falls, S.D.; plus a number of cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death on Feb. 23 of this year was her husband of 64 years; in 2002 her son-in-law, Jeffrey Kujanson; in 1962 her brother, Donald Throlson; in 1999 her brother-in-law, thee Rev. Carroll Bagaason; and her infant grandson, Matthew.

Marian passed away on Monday morning, May 9, 2011, at the Northfield Care Center, at the age of 87.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield with the Revs. John Quam and Mark Johnson officiating. Music will be provided by Daniel Fenn. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, Northfield.

Memorials are preferred to the Northfield Retirement Community, St. John’s Lutheran Church or the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home in Northfield.