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Marlys Ann Kilen, 84, of Cloquet passed away with family by her side on March 31, 2024, under Essentia hospice care. She was born Feb. 29, 1940, to Alex and Ruby (Hohenstein) Milbrath in Rost Township, Jackson County, Minnesota.

She graduated from Lakefield High School in 1958 and went on to attend Mankato State College, where she studied education. She received a master's degree from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth in 1989. Marlys went on to teach at schools in Chaska, Windom and Duluth before beginning her 19-year career at the Fond du Lac Ojibwe School in Cloquet, where she served as a librarian and assistant principal.

Marlys married her high school sweetheart, Astor "Pete" Kilen, on June 10, 1962, at her childhood church, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Rost Township. She later became a member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Esko, and served as Sunday school superintendent for many years. Marlys' faith was the foundation of her life and she displayed her love of God by living in servitude and devotion. Her family finds peace in the perfection of Marlys being welcomed to her heavenly home on Easter - Resurrection Sunday.

Marlys loved visits from close and extended family and could almost always be found running the kitchen. She enjoyed ownership of their cabin in northern Minnesota for 47 years and spent many winters with her husband escaping the winter weather in their RV.

Marlys will be remembered by her children, Doug (Jody) and Christa (Al Oustigoff) Kilen; grandchildren, Aaron, Taylor, Joshua and Garrett; great-grandchildren, Alexander, Isabel, Pattison, and baby Sophie, expected soon; brother, Melroy (Anita) Milbrath; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; siblings Dolores (Royce) Leckband, Marilyn Milbrath, Donna (Walt) Krahn, and Delmar (Betty) Milbrath; sisters-in-law, Kate Wills and Joyce Milbrath; niece Jennifer Wills; and nephew Dan Leckband.

Visitation: 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. memorial service Saturday, April 13 at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Esko. Inurnment will be at St. Matthews Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet. To sign an online registry, visit http://www.nelsonfuneralcare.net.