Marilynne J. Ohlde

Marilynne J. Ohlde, age 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Linn Community Nursing Home.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 7, at the St. John’s Lutheran Fellowship Hall, from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The family will receive friends and family from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Palmer, Kansas. Rev. John Werner will officiate. Sheila Stunkel is organist. The congregation will join in singing Marilynne’s favorite hymns: "How Great Thou Art," "On Eagles Wings" and "Go, My Children, with My Blessing." 

Serving as pallbearers are Brian Ekstrum, Josh Laflin, Paine Taylor, Tyler Ohlde, Brock Bruna, Logan Bruna, Isaac Ohlde, Gavin Dodds, and Colton Ohlde.

Burial will be in Church Cemetery.

Marilynne was born on January 24, 1940, at the family home, Kimeo, Kansas to Russell and Heloise (Jones) McGrath. She attended the McGrath School House during her grade school years and graduated from Linn High School in 1957.

Marilynne was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and remained a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

On September 8, 1957, she was united in marriage to Norbert Ohlde at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Palmer, Kansas. Together they were blessed with 11 children. Norbert preceded her in death on December 6, 2005.

She worked for over 15 years at the Linn American Legion as a waitress, before beginning a long and meaningful career as a nurse's aide at the Linn Community Nursing Home. There, she worked for 38 years before retiring in 2022. The nursing home became her second family, and she held a deep affection for both her coworkers and the residents she cared for.

Above all, Marilynne’s greatest joy in life was her family - her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her home was the heart of every holiday gathering, full of laughter, love, and plenty of food (although sometimes short of a seat!). She always had a fresh pot of coffee brewing and a plate of cookies or cupcakes ready for anyone who stopped by.

She was preceded in death by her son, Warren; grandsons Nicholas Ekstrum and Dylan Bruna; granddaughter Autumn Dodds; son-in-law Terry Ekstrum; sisters Martha Reed, Lynda Edgar and Maxine Rush; brothers Burton McGrath and David McGrath; and her dear friend Clarence Turk.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Denise Ekstrum of Frankfort, KS; Matt (Barb) Ohlde of Linn, KS; Daphne (Bob) Taylor of Clifton, KS; Aaron Ohlde of Ogden, KS; Denette Ohlde of Manhattan, KS; Danielle (Gary) Stone of Washington, KS; Darice (Brian) Bruna of Hanover, KS; Donovan (Julie) Ohlde of Sonoita, AZ; Daria (Quinton) Dodds of Manhattan, KS; and Diron (Julia) Ohlde of Clearwater, KS. She is also survived by her brothers, Elm (Dee) McGrath of Madison, KS, Dale (Jenny) McGrath of Oskaloosa, KS and Darold (Lisa) McGrath of Madison, KS; her sister-in-law, Rhonda Ohlde of Palmer, KS; and many loving nieces and nephews. She is also survived by 26 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, who will carry on her legacy of love, strength, and generosity.

A memorial fund has been designated to St. John’s Lutheran Church and the Linn Community Nursing Home. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home.