Marie Annette Seopa, 79, of Cook, MN passed away on Friday, November 17, 2023.

Marie was born on August 17, 1944 in Biwabik, MN to Swante and Hazel (Siro) Nevala. Marie attended Alango High, graduating in 1962. Marie attended Duluth Business University and then gained employment as a legal secretary, starting with Mutual of Omaha in Duluth and then Minneapolis. She had a variety of Jobs throughout the years: Cook Hospital, Hill Wood Products, Clarks IGA Bakery, and teaching as an English tutor. In 1985, she went to work for Kenny and Patty Alt at the South Switch. While there, she met her life partner Gary Dehn and then purchased the South Switch in 1989 where she remained right to the end. In the 40 + years at the Switch, she found her true calling and forged many lasting friendships with her quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. Marie was an icon to everyone in the area. She was the epitome of "SISU"!

In her spare time, she loved spending time with family and friends. She enjoyed fishing, casinoing and enjoying her adult beverages, especially during deer season when the twisted sisters would go galavanting in Leroy's old Dodge. We could go on forever but there is not enough space to convey who she was and what she meant to everyone.

Marie is survived by her sons: Kurt (Lois) Fogelberg, and Kelly (Jeanine) Fogelberg; sister Kathy (Leroy) Venne; Kurt and Kelly's dad, Rick Fogelberg, who also remained a close friend to Marie; grandchildren: Bethany, Ricky, Kjell, Josh (Jill) Rutchasky and Jolene (Jamie Blood) Gitzlaff, Jenny (Matt) Rea and families; Gary's son Curtis (Weronika) Dehn; Gary's grandchildren: Brandon, Abigail and Hailey; many relatives and friends; and a huge following from the Switch.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents Swante and Hazel; step-father Ernie Siro; sisters: Marilyn and Lucy; life and business partner Gary Dehn and his son Ken "Puffer" Dehn.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 11:00am at Mlaker Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. The celebration will continue immediately after the service, with lunch served, at the South Switch, Angora, MN.