Seated at the console of the beloved pipe organ she has played for more than six decades, Marge Stillwell paused for a moment. Her mind rolled through the catalogues of favorite music and fondest memories of past concerts and services, choir directors and organ instructors who helped her along the way.

Stillwell, 87, has served as organist for the Presbyterian Church of Cloquet for the past 63 years. She was 24 when she started to play. The church organ was the instrument that she learned to play on.

Growing up in Blackduck, northeast of Bemidji, she learned how to play the piano as a child...