Marilyn Schilling

Marilyn J Schilling passed award at her home on Friday, July 14, 2 days from her 81st birthday, after a 3-year battle with lung cancer and Lupus.   Her body has been donated to Mayo in Rochester. 

Mary was born July 17, 1936 to Hugo & Lola (Domino) Auer in Austin MN.  She attended Austin School and graduated in 1955 from Austin High School.  She married Harold Truesdell in September 1955 in Elkader, Iowa.  They had 2 sons – Scott and Brian (Gail Larson).  They lived in many places over their years together – St Paul, Hastings, Northfield, Albert Lea, Rapid City, SD, Rockerville SD, Sheridan Wyo, and Las Vegas, Nev.  They owned bars, a barber shop, Goldmine Liquor Store and The Traveling Pet Zoo.  Harold passed away unexpectedly in December 1974 in Sheridan and that brought Mary and the boys back to Albert Lea.  She married Ken Schilling in July 1976 and she remained in Albert Lea for the rest of her life. Ken passed away in March of 1990.  She had various jobs in Albert Lea – Drommer Country Boy (4 yrs); Wal-Mart in the deli (4 yrs); McDonald’s breakfast manager (6 yrs) and most recently at Mayo in housekeeping and the laundry for 18 years.  She loved to work.

She had 7 grandchildren who were the love of her life.  Celine (Shawn) Campagna, Albert Lea; Dustin Truesdell, Albert Lea; Tiffany (Joe) Stenzel of Savage MN; Ryan Truesdell, who passed away on August 14, 2007; Bodean Truesdell, Albert Lea; Sabrina Truesdell, Albert Lea and Mike Truesdell, Albert Lea.  She had 10 great-grandchildren all of which she loved so much.  Also, a sister, Sharon Freund of Cottage Grove MN.  She is also survived by nephews Mike (Connie) Freund, Craig (Lori) Freund of Cottage Grove & Brad (Sherry) Osmonson of Harmony and niece Lori (Dennis) Jones, Austin. 

She was very proud of her 42 years of sobriety.  It was very important right to the very end of her life!  She loved to bake and flower gardening at her home.  It you met her you didn’t forget her.  She was one of a kind and stubborn to the end.  She would tell it like it is and if you didn’t like it tough?  No B.S. with her!  She was a kind person who would do anything for anyone.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Vicky Osmunson, husbands Harold Truesdell and Ken Schilling, grandson Ryan Truesdell and bother-in-law Duane Freund.

The family would like to give a Special Thanks to Erika Truesdell for all her help over the years and Donna Hollrah for being there for her all this time.  Also, Mayo Clinic, Hospice, St Johns Nursing Home and all the people who cared for Mom over the last 3 years.

Thank you and God Bless you all!  She will be sadly missed by many family and friends.

A memorial service is planned for 1:00 p.m., Sunday, July 23 at Christ Episcopal Church in Albert Lea.  Rev. Henry Doyle will officiate.  Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.