Marilyn Jean Bjorkman, 89, of Warroad, MN, passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
Marilyn was born to Milo and Mary (Zimmerman) Withers on February 28, 1936 in Osakis Township, Douglas County, MN. She graduated from Osakis High School in 1954 and earned a bachelors degree in education from the University of Minnesota in 1958.
Her first teaching job was for the Greenway Public School District in Coleraine, MN, where she taught girls’ physical education and met fellow teacher Ruben Bjorkman. The two married on January 23, 1959 and would go on to have three children together: John, Kirsten, and Leichen.
After leaving Coleraine, Marilyn continued to work as a women’s physical education instructor at Russell Sage College in Troy, NY, the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH, and Red River High School in Grand Forks, ND. She also spent several years coaching women’s tennis and synchronized swimming. Marilyn and her family later relocated to Warroad, MN, where she briefly taught homeschool and worked at the Christian Brothers hockey stick factory.
Marilyn was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Warroad for many years. She was devoted to her family and enjoyed cooking and baking for them, hosting holiday gatherings, and cheering on three generations of hockey players.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Ruben Bjorkman, of Warroad, MN; son John (Louise) Bjorkman of Roseville, MN; daughters Kirsten Bjorkman of Grand Forks, ND, and Leichen Bjorkman (Chris Borgen) of Mendota Heights, MN; grandchildren Andrew (Kristina) Stoskopf of Warroad, MN, Nicholas (Seneca) Stoskopf of Thunder Bay, ON, Erika Bjorkman (Jason Loughrey) of Gilbert, AZ, Katherine Foster (Zach LaCombe) of Minneapolis, MN, Bradley Foster (Marissa Steltz) of Sturgeon Lake, MN; great-grandchildren Preston, Bently, Lily, Silver, and Seven; and several other extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Milo and Mary, and her brothers Larry and James Withers.
Service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Warroad, MN at 11am on Saturday March 8th.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Zion Lutheran Church.
Last modified: 03/04/2025
