Marlys Donna, and her twin brother Marlyn Duane, were born in Milaca, MN on October 19, 1930, to Gotthard & Grace (Cone) Ogren. Three older brothers welcomed the babies home; another brother and two sisters soon joined the family.
Marlys grew up being quite the tomboy, playing 1st base, and shooting marbles in Eden, SD. “Sonny & Girlie” contributed to the seventeen-year-run of their family delivering the MN Star Tribune.
After graduating from the 8th grade, Marlys entered the ‘workforce’. Although she worked as a house girl, she preferred getting outside, doing farm work and animal chores. She was content earning 25 cents for each haystack she built. Marlys worked at Long’s Resort on Enemy Swim Lake in Waubay, SD, then, Mohs’ Café in Appleton, MN. After her family moved to a farm near Bellingham, MN, Marlys would walk her younger siblings to school. From there, she would go work for Jake Wawers as a caretaker for his wife, Hattie, who suffered with Cerebral Palsy. In 1949, when the railroad transferred Jake to Fairmount, ND, they asked Marlys to move with them. It was then that Marlys met Jake’s son-in-law, Clem Sikorski, and his brother, Vic.
On June 25th, 1952, Marlys married Victor Sikorski at St. John’s Catholic Church, Wahpeton, ND. She felt blessed and fortunate to be a stay-at-home Mom for their 6 children. She organized her chores with the days of the week. Many enjoyed her bread-baking day, including fried bread and cinnamon rolls. Marlys instilled her deep sense of faith, care-giving, and solid values in her children.
Her hobbies included gardening & canning, fishing, playing cards, watching the MN Twins, listening to country music, and socializing with friends of all ages.
Marlys was a member of St. Anthonys Catholic Church, St. Ann’s Altar Society & Christian Mothers, and served as a circle leader for over 40 years.
Left to cherish Marlys’ memory are her children: Bev (Kirby) Steffens, Brenda (Rich) Adolf, Vickie (John) Schuster, & Wayne (Rachelle) Sikorski, all of Fairmount; her Grandchildren: Joseph & Adam Sikorski, and JeriBeth (Sikorski) Rochstein, Ryan, Lonnie, & Russ Steffens, Michele (Adolf) Brantl, and Chris Adolf, Christian Schuster & Hannah Croft, Sean Ping, Nicole (Sikorski) Miranowski, Spencer Sikorski, Brian & Dillon Berend, and Nicole (Berend) Miller; 26 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Marge Ogren, Pat Palmer, Marge Kressin, Cathy (brother-in-law, Pinky) Rubish, Barb Sikorski; along with many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Vic (2011), their two sons, Jeff (2024) & Jerry (1978); parents, brothers: Milfred, Vernon, Lyle, Marlyn, & Elton Ogren, sisters: Darlene Aldag & LaDes Stempfley, and several sisters & brothers-in-law.
Marlys was known as “Grama” to most of the town. She will lovingly be remembered for her chocolate chip cookies, a welcoming cup of coffee or ‘beverage,’ and her undying love of family and friends. She loved life!
