Marlyn Wedan

Marlyn Marie Wedan (Strang) was born May 7, 1939 in Sanborn, IA while her parents Eldred and Helen (Hardy) Strang were visiting relatives. She was ushered into Heaven on Saturday, Sept. 13th, 2025 while surrounded by family and receiving comfort care at Lakewood Hospital in Staples, MN. Phil. 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”

Marlyn grew up in the small community of Barrows, just south of Brainerd, MN. Favorite memories shared from her childhood included dressing up like an old lady, which always made her mom laugh; using cane poles to go fishing with her dad almost weekly and riding bikes, playing softball and building forts in the woods with her two brothers. As a teenager she would catch the train that ran between Little Falls and Brainerd. For 10 cents she could ride into town to go to a movie, hang out with a friend from school or just to have an adventure. Invited by a friend Marlyn attended the ‘Girl Guard’ program at the Salvation Army as an early teen and there she met and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Her faith was an important part of who she was for the rest of her life.

At the age of 16 she met her future husband, Eugene E Wedan while attending a basketball game with friends. Marlyn & Gene married on November 23rd, 1956. As newlyweds and young couple starting out, they lived and worked in Brainerd. In 1958 and 59 they added two daughters to their family and purchased a 2-bedroom cabin on Round Lake, which they remodeled turning it into a 2-story home. A third daughter joined them in 1960, a fourth in 1964 and finally a son rounded out the family in 1966. With living so close to Nisswa the family joined the Nisswa Community Church and made many lifelong family friends.

In 1976 the family became founding members of the Pequot Lakes Baptist Church. With great joy Marlyn & Gene helped lead her mother Helen, brother Arnie and his wife Karen to the Lord in September that year while attending the Crusade meetings at the Brainerd Highschool.

Marlyn, always an excellent cook and baker, worked at several area restaurants in and around the Nisswa – Brainerd area. She became famous for her old-fashioned Baked Beans. In 1982 she decided to change careers and went to school at the Brainerd Vo-tech and became a Nurse’s Aide. She worked for the St Joseph’s Hospital Homecare program for 18 yrs, before retiring early to stay home and take care of her husband.

Spending time with family provided Marlyn her greatest joys in life, being “Gramma Dan” to her 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren at the top of the list. From babysitting Brianna, going to pizza with Riley, Dylan’s band concerts, traveling coast to coast with Garrett, Spending MEA break with Molly & Tanner in Montana, playing dominos with Marge & friends, co-hosting Girls Night Out with Janet, sharing a never-ending love of reading with Pam and monthly lunches with her brothers and their wives. She enjoyed a rousing game of Rook, 500, Yatzee, Phase 10 and many others with family and friends alike.

Marlyn will be greatly missed by her daughters Pam, Diane & Janet Wedan, Marge (Terry) Hines & son Gary (Kristen) Wedan. Grandchildren, Wesley (JoEllen) Hines, Joe (Amber) Hines, Beau (Sam) Bacon, Leah Ahmann, Garrett (Adrienne) Wedan, Molly (Thomas) Moman and Tanner (Haley) Wedan. Great Grand-Children, Dylan & Riley Hines, Brianna & Kiara Bacon, Gabe Ahmann, Eliza & Laila Moman. Brother Arnie (Karen) Strang, Sister-in-law Joyce Strang and Best Friend Adele Orem and many, many other precious family and friends.

She was proceeded in death by her Husband of 46 yrs Gene, her parents and brothers, Eldred (Sonny) Jr (died as an infant) and Cecil (Cy) Strang.

Services will be held at Christ Community Church, 24646 Hazelwood Dr, Nisswa, MN on Saturday, October 11th, 2025. Visitation starting at 1 pm and Memorial Service at 2 pm, with a luncheon to follow. Ladies, in honor of Marlyn please wear your nicest (dangly if possible) earrings.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.