"William Sears and I were colleagues teaching at Braham High School a town located fifty miles north of Minneapolis/St. Paul. I am wishing William "Bill" Sears peace, comfort, and strength during this very difficult and painful time. Signed: Jean Carlson McDonough"
In loving memory of
Marilyn Jean Sears
March 11, 1945 - January 11, 2022
Marilyn Jean Sears died unexpectedly, from complications after recent surgery, at 9:30 a.m. on January 11, 2022, at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, MN. She was 76 years old. Marilyn was born in Decorah, Iowa the daughter of Alan & Hazel Amundson.
Marilyn graduated from Decorah High School, Class of 1963. She attended Luther College for a year and in the summer of 1964 lived in Colorado with her sister and worked at the University of Northern Colorado at Greely. She then moved to Rochester, Minnesota for a job at the Mayo Clinic.
She married William Sears and together they raised three children, Angela, Craig and Jim. They celebrated 53 years of marriage in August 2021.
After being a stay-at-home mom until her children were in high school, Marilyn worked as a sales associate at Richard N's Shoe Store, Apache Mall, Rochester, and later at the Carson Pirie Scott department store at Miracle Mile, Rochester. Soon after the birth of her first grandchild she stayed home to provide daycare for her grandchildren. She cherished watching her children and grandchildren participate in sports, concerts, recitals and other activities.
Marilyn loved to travel. She treasured her vacations in Branson, Missouri. She loved live music shows, Craft Malls and the Ozark Mountains. Her passion was hosting family gatherings especially at Christmas. She also enjoyed gardening and home decorating. Marilyn dearly loved the seven dogs she cared for over a period of 40 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents. Surviving in addition to her husband, are her daughter Angela and her husband, Al Spohn of Rochester; sons, Craig and his wife Amy, of Rochester, Jim and his partner Jessica Rivard of Eagan, MN; six grandchildren, Ava Spohn, Abby Spohn, Andrew Spohn, Payton Sears, Torrey Sears and Sophia Sears; one sister, Dori Ritland and her husband Mike of Eau Claire, WI; one brother, Richard Amundson and his wife Barbara (Babs) of Decorah, IA; many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes (5421 Royal Pl NW, Rochester, MN 55901). A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 29th, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the same location, followed by lunch. Due to COVID-19, masks will be required and social distancing observed.
Click here to watch the livestream of the service; the video will go live and become available a few minutes before the service begins: https://www.facebook.com/Ranfranzandvine/
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Sears family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"Bill and family, I was so sorry to hear of Marilyn?s passing. She was such a beautiful, soft spoken lady who always looked her best wherever I saw her. She will leave a lasting memory for many of us. May God be your healing presence. Lynne Miller"
"Bill and family, sending thoughts and prayers during this time and in the days ahead. Bill, thanks for sharing the memories of how you and Marilyn met; I really enjoyed hearing those fun stories back when we worked together. Hoping the wonderful memories bring comfort."
"So many memories over the years and always that smile on her face that I will never forget. . As Dave said she was one of our basketball moms. Thoughts and prayers to your family."
"Marilyn was always a part of our cherished JM basketball family. Our sympathy to your family during these times. "
"Sending love and light your way. During this time, blessings, Joyce"