Marilyn Sue Klawunder

Apr 5, 1941 -

Feb 3, 2020

Marilyn passed away on Feb. 3, 2020, at Providence Hospital from complications from kidney disease. She was 78 years old, and had lived a very active, fulfilling life in Anchorage, Alaska, since 1970.

Born in Wallis, Idaho, to Archie and Stella Owen, she was the youngest of three girls: Kathryn (90) and Inez (83). The family moved to Spokane, Wash., where Marilyn graduated from Lewis and Clark High School; then from Eastern Washington University in 1963 with a degree in English.

She married Larry Klawunder in 1964, and they moved to Anchorage in 1970, where Larry started teaching. Their daughter, Belinda Sue (48), was born in 1971. Marilyn got her Master of Arts in Special Education and started teaching at Dimond High School in 1982. She and Larry divorced in 1984. In 2002, she retired and started pursuing other interests.

She loved to travel and did so often with many friends to many countries, including Costa Rica, Belize, Europe, China, Peru, Ecuador, Australia and New Zealand.

Marilyn was very active in her sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, serving as president and other positions throughout the years. She loved to play bridge and did so on a regular basis.

Most of all, she loved spending time with her granddaughter, Elysia (8). Baking cookies and working in the garden were favorites. Knitting, quilting and gardening were among her other passions. Marilyn was a wonderful mother, grandmother and dear friend to many who will miss her very much.

A service will be held on Feb. 17, 2020, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m, at Legacy Funeral Home Heritage Chapel, 440 East Klatt Road. Burial will follow from 1:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., at Angelus Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations to NPR in Marilyn's name would be appreciated.