Marlys Selma Vilhauer

Marlys S. Vilhauer, age 82, of rural Litchfield passed away peacefully at home while being surrounded by her family on Tuesday, April 25, 2017. She fought a short but courageous battle with lung cancer. A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM. Interment will take place later this spring in the Arlington Public Cemetery in Arlington, Minnesota. Marlys Selma Winter of Litchfield, MN was born on May 28, 1934 in New Auburn Township of Sibley County to August and Esther (Miller) Winter. She was baptized on June 27, 1934 and confirmed in her faith on April 10, 1949 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Auburn. Marlys attended Sibley County District 34 School through the eighth grade and graduated from Glencoe High School in 1953. Marlys was united in marriage to Lester Karg on August 20, 1953 at Immanuel Lutheran Church of New Auburn by Reverend W. F. Mueller. Marlys and Lester were blessed with one daughter, Marjorie. Marlys and Lester farmed west of Arlington through 1965, at which time they moved in to Arlington. In 1973 they built a house on Lake Manuela near Litchfield. In 1976 they moved back to Arlington for just a short time before Lester passed away on October 31, 1977. Marlys was married to Russell Vilhauer on June 29, 1978. They lived in Utah and moved back to Litchfield, Minnesota in 1983. Marlys worked in the offices of Fingerhut in Gaylord. She worked at 3M in Hutchinson from February 9, 1970 to June 20, 1978. Marlys worked at HTI in Hutchinson from May 1985 to January 2000. She then worked in the bakery department of the Hutchinson Walmart until 2006. Marlys and Russ enjoyed gardening. For approximately 30 years they raised and sold their farm fresh produce at five area Farmers Markets. Marlys is well-known for her home canned pickles, salsas and wide variety of jams and jellies and at holiday time for her homemade candies and cookies. She was an avid flower gardener also, growing some prized Asiatic lilies. Marlys was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Marlys enjoyed bird watching and feeding her birds, along with taking special care of all her beautiful flowers. Marlys looked forward to hearing about all of the grandkids and great-grandkids' activities. She enjoyed watching the Vikings win, but was also willing to offer advice when they lost. Survivors include her husband of 38 years, Russ of Litchfield; daughter Marjorie (Curtiss) Erickson of Arlington, stepdaughters Cynthia Vilhauer of Taos, New Mexico and Kimberly Posusta of Hutchinson; 3 grandchildren, Scott (Karen) Erickson of Willmar, Amanda (Mike) Feterl of Arlington, Paul (Barbie) Erickson of Waconia; 1 step-granddaughter Terecina Romero of Taos, New Mexico; great-grandchildren, Kassandra Erickson of Willmar, Jack, Will, Ellie and Louis Feterl of Arlington, Lyla, Ben and Reed Erickson of Waconia; siblings, Dorothy Bettcher of Lester Prairie, Donna (Jerald) Gutzmer of Glencoe; sisters-in-law Elaine Winter of St. Cloud and Elvera Winter of Arlington and many nieces and nephews. Marlys was preceded in death by her parents, August and Esther Winter; her parents-in-law Henry and Adela Karg; her parents-in-law August Vilhauer and Henrietta and Glen Hawes; siblings Harry Winter, Leonard Winter, Velma Wendorff, Leslie Winter; and siblings-in-law Verna Winter, Lowell Wendorff, Ewald Bettcher, Loren Karg, Adeline Karg and David Vilhauer.Previous Events Visitation Saturday, April 29, 2017 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Saturday, April 29, 2017 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355