Marilyn Mailand, age 78 of Freeport passed away peacefully at Rockford Memorial Hospital on Monday, November 10, 2014 after a courageous fight with many health conditions. She was born on March 2, 1936 in Freeport, the daughter of Alva and Frances Ostrander. Marilyn graduated from Monroe High School in 1954 and married Eugene Mailand on June 29, 1958.
Over her 35 year career, she worked as a secretary, office manager and later payroll specialist at Ardee Manufacturing through its many phases to Sauer DanFoss. Marilyn was a longtime member of Van Brocklin United Methodist Church. Outside of her career, she loved to sew, knit, crochet, and work crossword puzzles. In her earlier days she liked to camp, boat and water ski on the Mississippi. She also enjoyed fishing in Minnesota with her extended family. After retirement, she created handcrafts and participated in craft shows with her daughter. Although shy, Marilyn had a wonderful sense of humor and delightful sense of adventure. Her faith, devotion to her husband, love and pride for her daughter, son in law and grandson were part of her very essence and expressed in a myriad of ways that filled our hearts.
Marilyn is survived by her husband Gene Mailand of Freeport; her daughter Terry, son-in-law Randy and grandson Tristan Tackett of Monroe, WI. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Evalyn and brothers, Laverne and Donald.
A private family service will be held at Monroe United Methodist Church. Memorials may be sent to Van Brocklin United Methodist Church or Monroe United Methodist Church.