Marilyn Joyce (Nylund) Jenkins, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and woman of faith, passed peacefully from this life to the next on August 13, 2026. Her life was filled with love, family, faith, creativity, friendship, adventure, and nearly 74 years of marriage to the love of her life, Eugene Harold Jenkins.

Marilyn was born on August 14, 1928, in Duluth, Minnesota, to John and Clara Nylund. She spent much of her early life in Cook, Minnesota, where she was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church on September 21, 1930, and confirmed there on June 13, 1943. She continued her public education in Cook before her family moved to Seattle, Washington, where Marilyn graduated from Cleveland High School, in Seattle on June 13, 1946.

Following high school, Marilyn returned to Minnesota and attended the Northwest Institute of Medical Technology, completing her training in Clinical Laboratory Technique on December 19, 1947. Shortly afterward, she began working in her chosen field in Mankato, Minnesota.

It was in Mankato that Marilyn met her future husband and the love of her life, Eugene Harold Jenkins. They met at a local roller rink where Gene was working as a monitor. At the time, Gene was attending the University of Minnesota and working at a local dairy. The two began dating, fell in love, and became engaged. On June 9, 1950, they were married, beginning a remarkable partnership that would span more than seven decades.

Gene graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1953 (Teaching degree) and shortly afterward secured his first teaching position in Heron Lake, Minnesota. Marilyn and Gene moved there, and it was in Heron Lake that they began their family. They were blessed with four children: Patti Jo, Michael, Scott, and David.

In 1965, the family moved to Faribault, Minnesota, when Gene accepted a teaching position at the high school. Marilyn worked as a Clinical Laboratory Technician at the Faribault State Hospital. Together, Marilyn and Gene raised their family in Faribault, creating a home filled with family, faith, love, and memories that would last a lifetime.

Eventually, Marilyn traded her career as a laboratory technician for her true love—crafting of all sorts. Marilyn had a wonderful artistic eye and became an accomplished painter and creator of wood crafts. With the assistance of Gene's carpentry and carving skills, the two became a creative team. Marilyn especially loved working alongside Gene and a few close friends, creating and selling their crafts. Her creativity was a reflection of her personality—warm, imaginative, and always eager to make something lasting and beautiful.

During Gene's teaching years, their summers were spent at another beloved part of their lives. Marilyn and Gene purchased land on the Cook end of Lake Vermilion, built a cabin, and spent every summer at their treasured retreat. The lake became a place where they could slow down, enjoy nature, spend time together, and create some of their fondest memories.

When Gene retired from teaching in 1983, Marilyn and Gene moved permanently to their Lake Vermilion home. They renovated the cabin into a year-round residence and embraced retirement together. During the winter months, they became “snowbirds,” traveling to Arizona, Florida, and Texas.

Their retirement years were filled with travel, making new friends and visiting old ones, spending time with family both near and far, welcoming and enjoying new additions to the family, and celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and countless special occasions. There were wonderful memories to make, and there were also difficult goodbyes. Through all of life's seasons, Marilyn and Gene remained devoted to one another, comforting and supporting each other as they grew older—not only as husband and wife, but as best friends.

In June of 2000, Marilyn and Gene celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, surrounded by the love of their family and grateful for the wonderful milestone they had reached together. In 2023, they celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary—a remarkable testament to the love, commitment, friendship, and life they shared.

Just a few months later, Marilyn held her husband's hand as Gene went to his Heavenly rest. She carried his love and memory with her until the end.

In their advanced years, Marilyn and Gene were cared for and loved dearly by their family. Their days became quieter, but remained filled with meaning and purpose. They spent their days in peaceful surroundings, visiting with family, enjoying sunny days, listening to Scripture, and immersing themselves in prayer. There was no shortage of recounting memories of lives well-lived, spending cuddle time with puppies, listening to uplifting music, and sharing both laughter and tears with family.

Marilyn's faith, love of family, creativity, and gentle spirit remained at the center of her life. She humbly served her church and community, treasured the people around her and found joy in the simple moments making life meaningful.

On August 13, 2026, Marilyn peacefully joined the love of her life, passing from this life to the next just one day before her 98th birthday.

She is survived by her sons, Michael (Nancy) Jenkins, Scott (Martine) Jenkins; Penny Jenkins; and David (Lorri) Jenkins; nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Her family grew through both birth and marriage, and she lovingly embraced each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as her own; Marilyn is also survived by brother, John (Kathy) Nylund; her sisters, Charlotte Bystrom and Jackie (Warren) Bradbury; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Eugene Harold Jenkins; their daughter, Patti Jo (Douglas) Knoer; her brother, Donald (Shirley) Nylund; and her parents, John and Clara Nylund.

Marilyn leaves a legacy of family who will carry her memory forward through stories, faith, laughter, love, and lessons she taught. Her life was long, full, and deeply loved.

She will be remembered often, profoundly missed, and will bring a smile to our hearts forever.

Services

A celebration of life for Marilyn will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cook, Minnesota, in the spring of 2027. The date and time will be announced.

Interment, for Marilyn & Gene, will follow at Cook Cemetery in Cook, Minnesota.