Marian Varnson

Marian Varnson, age 97, of Erskine, MN, passed away on Friday, January 19th, at Riverview Hospital in Crookston, MN. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 27th, at Rodnes Lutheran Church, rural Erskine with the Rev. Joel Smeby officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Friday, January 26th, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Erskine. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be designated to Rodnes Lutheran Church. Arrangements are with the Carlin Funeral Home of Erskine and messages of condolence may be sent at www.carlinfuneral.com. Marian Charlotte Paulson was born on March 4, 1920 in Erskine, Minnesota, the daughter of Albert and Selma Olberg Paulson. Marian was baptized and confirmed in Rodnes Lutheran Church and she was raised to be a devoted church member. She grew up in Woodside Township, rural Erskine where she attended the Sylvan Nook rural school. She graduated from Mentor High School in 1937 and loved playing basketball for the school. Marian was married to Clifford Bakken on June 9, 1938 in Rodnes Church. They resided on the Bakken farmstead until Clifford died in 1965. The following winter Marian and her daughter, Cheryl, started spending summers on the farm and winters in Erskine until she sold the farm in 1969 and moved into Erskine.Marian married Edward Varnson on September 20, 1969 at Rodnes Church. They resided in Erskine. Ed died in 1985.Marian worked at Pioneer Memorial home in the activities department and as the housekeeping supervisor for over 20 years. She retired when she was 72 years old. Keeping busy was Marian's lifestyle. She enjoyed playing Rummikub and Shanghai with friends and watching the Twins play ball was a favorite pastime. She was involved in ceramics, made woodworking projects each Christmas for family, did beautiful embroidery work and was an avid baker. For several summers she would get up very early in the morning, have cookies, bread, and bars made and sell them out of the trunk of her car around Maple Lake. She was known for her Aunt Sally cookies and butter knot rolls. Marian was an active member of Rodnes Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School, held offices in the ladies aid, was active in circle and served on the church board for many years. She loved Rodnes and would do anything for the welfare of the church including handywork and baking as much as she could for the Fall sales. She loved spending time with her family; gatherings of any kind involving loved ones. There were 30+ years of Paulson family reunions at Farmer's Union Camp that she looked forward to every August. Marian passed away on Friday, January 19, 2018. She had been residing at Country Place assisted living in Erskine for four years where she enjoyed the friendship of staff and tenants living there. She enjoyed the afternoon games of Bingo. Survivors include one son, Myles Bakken and wife Shirley of Erskine; one daughter, Cheryl Harms of Bemidji; son-in-law, Lowell Bennes and wife Sheryl of Moorhead; step daughter, Arliss Abrahamson of New York Mills; seven grandchildren, Eric, Christopher, Mark, Stefanie, Mitchell, Tamara and Kristi; four step grandchildren, Brian, Laurine, Daidre and Ann; eight great grandchildren, Bjorn, Jakob, Liv, Sofia, James, Linus, Sonia Marian and Hobey; many nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Clifford and Edward; her daughter, Marlene; two sons-in-law, Abe and Bill; six brothers, Alfred, Leonard, Harold, Walter, Stanley and Clayton; and three sisters, Connie, Myrtle and Bernice.

Visitation

Friday, January 26, 2018 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Carlin Family Funeral Service
417 6th St. NE Fosston 56542, United States

Funeral Service

Saturday, January 27, 2018 11:00 AM
Rodnes Lutheran Church
35473 180th Ave SE Erskine 56535, United States