Marilyn Ida Mahling, 81, of Randall, died March 25, 2009 at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.

Funeral services were held March 30, at the St. James Catholic Church in Randall. Burial was in the St. James Catholic Cemetery.

Arrangements were with the Brenny Funeral Home in Randall.

Marilyn was born in Little Falls Aug. 14, 1927 to Henry and Marguerite (Evans) Gosch. She attended school in Randall and graduated from Little Falls High School in 1945, before attending St. Cloud State University. She married Robert James Mahling on Feb. 15, 1947.

She was a life long resident of Randall, working as a homemaker and part time employee of Gosch's store and a paraprofessional for 14 years at Lincoln and Dr. S.G. Knight Schools. She also wrote a recipe column for the Little Falls Daily Transcript for several years.

Marilyn was a long time member of the Board of Directors for the Morrison County DAC, St. James Catholic Church and St. Francis Xavier Mission Circle. She and Bob also charted St. James Cemetery and two other cemeteries for the Morrison County Historical Society.

She enjoyed traveling and was interested in genealogy. She self-published a book of her father's family: Marilyn also enjoyed fishing, pheasant hunting, reading, auctions and time with her family.

Marilyn is survived by her husband; two sons, Michael (Laurie) Mahling of Pierz; Robert M. (Claire) Mahling of Cushing; three daughters, Marilyn Mahling of Little Falls; Joanna (Brad) Koenen of Hutchinson; Elizabeth (Leonard) Wheeler of Brainerd; seven grandchildren; one greatgrandchild; and one sister, Margie Riitters of Little Falls.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Lucile Lewis and Elaine Larson.

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