Marilyn Ruth Sea

Marilyn Ruth Sea, age 92, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026. Born on February 5, 1934, at her family home in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and delivered by her uncle, Dr. C. E. Sisler, Marilyn was raised on the family dairy farm outside of Grand Rapids. There she learned the value of hard work and family from an early age, helping her father with milk deliveries and selling her Grand Prize Sheep at the State Fair. Adventurous and spirited, she enjoyed skiing until an injury on the farm’s ski hill required rescue by her younger sister, Janet.

A graduate of Greenway High School, Marilyn attended Bemidji State Teachers College, where she earned a degree in elementary education. She began her teaching career in Brainerd, Minnesota, and later taught in Billings, Montana, and Dawson, Minnesota, sharing her love of learning with generations of students. On June 21, 1958, she married Duane Sea in Grand Rapids. Together they created a warm and loving home, raising four children and seven long-term foster children. Marilyn was a constant, enthusiastic presence in their lives, rarely missing a musical performance, school event, or sporting competition.

Marilyn was a master gardener whose vibrant gardens and exceptional flowers earned many blue ribbons at the county fair. She found deep joy in tending her plants and generously shared her knowledge and cuttings with friends and family. An avid traveler, she visited the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Parade, China, Australia, Europe, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, often returning with a plant slip or two to nurture in her greenhouse. She was known for her blueberry pie, her secret acorn squash recipe, and the gallons of hummingbird sugar potion that drew the birds to her feeders in droves.

A fiercely independent and courageous woman, Marilyn faced a rare form of tongue cancer for decades with remarkable strength and grace. She will be remembered for her gentle spirit, steadfast work ethic, and the beauty she created in her garden and in the lives of those around her. Marilyn is survived by her husband, Duane Sea; daughter Debra (Richard Roth); sons David (Cathy Altendorf), William (Annie), and Jon (Slavenka Sedlar); grandchildren Bryan, Tyler, Allyson, Tallulah, and Henry; sister Janet (Al) Eckmann; brother Bill (Mary Alice) Sisler; cousins Gordy Holm and Merry Klapczynski; and many nieces and nephews.