Marilyn Morstad

Marilyn Morstad, 94, Grand Forks, formerly of Minot, died on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Altru Hospital. She was born November 20, 1929, in Sauk Center, MN to Al and Merced (Bishop) Bernauer. She attended school in DeSmet, SD and Wadena, MN. After graduating from High School in Wadena, she attended the University of Minnesota. 

Marilyn married David Morstad of New York Mills, MN, on August, 20, 1949 in Chicago, IL where David was a student at the University of Illinois. After earning his Doctor of Optometry Degree, they lived in Ortonville, MN; South St. Paul, MN; and then for six years in Crosby, MN where they had a lovely lake home. In 1962 they moved to Minot, ND. Marilyn, a homemaker, was an active volunteer: Girl Scouts (including several years when she was the city distribution point and her garage was plumb full of cases and cases of Girl Scout cookies), the Minot Public Library, charitable fundraising, the Minot First Presbyterian Church, and other causes. She enrolled at Minot State College and earned an associate degree in accounting in 1979. She was employed by Lamco as a bookkeeper. 

After retiring, they spent many winters in Mesa, AZ, enjoying the warmth and playing cards or just socializing with friends. The new scenery and landscapes intrigued them – hiking became a frequent pastime. In Mesa, Marilyn took up acrylic painting: still life, scenery, wildlife, and Christmas scenes which she turned into Christmas cards. David, a life-long musician, played in several bands, with Marilyn attending all his concerts.

In 2005, Marilyn and David moved to the independent living apartments at Valley 4000 in Grand Forks, ND. She continued her volunteer work there, assisting at the lunch counter and pushing wheelchair-bound residents to and from the facility’s beauty salon. For 18 years, every Thursday evening, her daughter Penny and son-in-law Dean had Marilyn over for supper, along with their children and grandchildren. Marilyn greatly appreciated this opportunity to be so close to these grandchildren and great-grandchildren, watching them grow up.

Marilyn was an excellent bridge player and always had fresh homemade cookies and bars anytime someone stopped by. Her spare time was often filled doing crosswords, sudokus, jigsaw puzzles, and reading books on her Kindle. She also enjoyed knitting, making countless prayer shawls for Mendenhall Presbyterian Church in East Grand Forks, MN. Plus, it should be noted she was extraordinarily adept on her computer for a 94-year-old.

Marilyn’s husband David passed in 2006. In January 2024, Marilyn moved to the assisted living facility at Valley 4000.

She is survived by her three children, Penny (Dean) Schumacher of East Grand Forks, MN, David (Karla) Morstad, Moorhead, MN, Janelle (Dave) Hedlin, Aptos CA; sister Sally Gaslin, Lakewood, CO; brothers John Bernauer, Battle Lake, MN, and Dave (Mary) Bernauer, Marco Island, FL; sisters-in-law Alice Hass, Fargo, ND, and Jackie (Merv) Thompson, St. Paul, MN; grandchildren Heather (Brandon) Vandervort, East Grand Forks, MN, Dirk Schumacher, Moorhead, MN, Haley Hedlin, Aptos, CA, Joey (Cindy) Hedlin, Capitola, CA, Carly (Cade) Hedlin, Chanhassen, MN, and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband David, Grand Forks, MN; parents, Al and Merced Bernauer, Wadena, MN; and sister Joean Schmidt, Fergus Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 21, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM, followed by the memorial service at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, Grand Forks, ND. Service will be live-streamed by the church (churchontheedge.net). Arrangements entrusted to Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks, ND (www.amundsonfuneralhome.com).

Memorials are preferred to First Presbyterian Church, Grand Forks, ND (churchontheedge.net) or Valley Senior Living on 42nd, Grand Forks, ND.