Marlys Vollegraaf

Marlys Diane Vollegraaf, 81, passed away in Washington state on April 8, 2026 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

A private Celebration of Life will be held in June in Washington.

Marlys was born June 27, 1944 to William and Helen Saunby in St. Paul. She graduated from Johnson High School in 1962 and married Jim Vollegraaf in 1966. Marlys graduated from the University of Minnesota majoring in English and French in 1972 and received her MS in Education from Hamline in 1996. The Vollegraafs moved to the Leader area in 1976 and worked in Staples.

While in Staples Marlys worked as a teacher at the Freshwater Education District Area Learning Center and as a parent educator with Early Childhood Family Education. Marlys and Jim enjoyed hosting five foreign exchange students.

In 2000, Marlys moved to Sedro-Wolley, Wash. and served as the director for seven after school programs, then became director at the Burlington Little School until 2008. She also worked at the Children’s Museum of Skagit County and enjoyed substituting for Head Start before retiring in 2018.

Marlys loved to laugh, dance, tell jokes, knit, have a good margarita and teach. She had a powerful impact on many lives young and old.

Marlys is survived by two sons, Bradley and Brian; one daughter, Erica; three grandchildren, Alexander, Zoe and Shaelyn and ex-husband, Jim Vollegraaf.

               w17x A00006B2026AP15