Pine Knot News - A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news

Marilyn Mae (Cran) Lundquist passed away peacefully with her sons by her side on Dec. 6, 2023, at her seasonal home in Sarasota, Florida.

She was born on Oct. 8, 1929, in Duluth to Cecil and Petronella (Nellie) Cran. She was one of seven children who grew up in a little house on Voss Avenue.

Marilyn graduated in 1947 from Denfeld High School. In 1950 she married the love of her life, Gordy, and their adventures began.

In 1952 these kids built and opened their first drive-in restaurant in Eveleth. This was followed by the London Inn in Duluth in 1955 and then Gordy's Hi-Hat in Cloquet in 1960. Marilyn was the self-proclaimed "oldest, fastest fry cook in the country" and she ran the business from the kitchen grill. She and Gordy, who died in 2021, were an unbeatable team.

Marilyn was the life of the party and brightened every room she walked into. Her grandkids would say "Grandma can walk down the street and in five minutes have 50 new friends."

Marilyn thrived and cherished connecting with people - from her employees over the years to her friends in Duluth, Cloquet, the Women's Club, Schultz and Pike Lake, First Covenant Church, Siesta Chapel and the community at Siesta Harbor. Family and friends meant everything to her.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her beloved Gordy; her parents; brother Jim Cran; sisters Marge Skadsberg and Ruth Bujold; niece LeeAnn Bujold; and nephews Tim Skadsberg and Jonathan Cran.

She is survived by her two sons Rick (Patty) and Dan (Kelly); sister Joyce Butters; brothers Jerry (Beverly) and David Cran; grandchildren Dan (Jenna), Anna (Eric), Sever (Kaitlyn), Sadie (Caroline), Riki (Nick), Rosalie and Hallie; and great-grandchildren Harper, August, Wilk, Kennedy and Ivy.

A celebration of life will take place later this winter. Memorials in honor of Marilyn can be sent to First Covenant Church, 2101 W. Second St., Duluth MN 55806.

Pine Knot News, Dec. 15, 2023