Marilyn Kay. Machart, 84, of Redwood Falls passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 10, 2021 of heart failure. Memorial Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 from Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls with burial to follow in Redwood Falls Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 15, 2021, from 5 until 7 p.m., at Nelson-Hillestad Funeral Home in Redwood Falls and will continue on Wednesday, at the church, from 10 until 11 a.m. Arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Redwood Falls.
Marilyn was born on August 2, 1936 in the small town of Granville, North Dakota to Fritz and Viola (Mueller) Langbehn. At the age of 9, her father passed away. Her mother, a school teacher, traveled with her two young daughters working in small country schools throughout ND. At that time, they lived in the school houses she taught at and weekends were spent with relatives on the farm. Eventually, her mother found a teaching position in Grafton, ND where Marilyn graduated from High School. In 1955 she met the love of her life and future husband, Mac Machart. They resided in St. Cloud for a short time before moving to Redwood Falls which they called home. Marilyn’s first job in Redwood Falls was working at the bowling alley where it’s rumored she was quite the bowler in her day. But, she is most remembered for working at the Wishing Well. There, she worked with friends she loved, and all her paychecks went to buying gifts for her loved ones and adding to her enormous collection of Hallmark Christmas ornaments. Marilyn was busy in the community with the Jaycees, Eastern Star, Study Clubs and worked on the Cemetery Committee. She belonged to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church where she was a Sunday school teacher for many years, Circle member and volunteer. She enjoyed having coffee with friends who always knew her back door was open and the coffee pot was on. She loved to entertain, share amazing food, and make the people around her feel welcome. Mark and Melissa’s friends were always welcomed with a big hug and an ear for listening. With her best friend Carol Randgaard, they held a Christmas open house every year filled with good friends and lots of tasty treats. Marilyn loved to travel with friends and family and play bridge. She was the happiest surrounded by her family and being a part of their lives.
Marilyn is survived by her son Mark (Patti) of Redwood Falls and daughter Melissa Arndt (Pete Gage) of Shakopee. Her grandchildren are Noelle (Brian) Marshall and Katelyn (Nick) Kelch of Prior Lake and Tyler and Tucker Machart of Redwood Falls. Great Grandchildren are Madden and Greyson Marshall and McKinley Kelch. She is preceded in death by her parents, sister Frances, daughter Barbara, husband Mac, and son-in-law Mark Arndt.