Marilyn Denault

Marilyn Denault, 83, of Cavalier, ND passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Brigid of Ireland Catholic Church, Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held Friday, February 24th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the church.

Marilyn was born the youngest of nine children to Daniel and Olga (Pederson) Sundberg August 26th, 1933 on the family farm near Wales, ND.

Marilyn attended school in a one-room schoolhouse just across the field from their farm. The family later moved to a farm by Loma, ND where she continued her studies. She attended high school in Langdon, ND. Marilyn was very proud to be the daughter of homesteaders and often reminisced about her childhood years growing up on the windswept prairies of North Dakota.

Marilyn met the love of her life, Donald Joseph Denault and they were married on September 16th, 1950. Marilyn and Donald farmed and raised livestock near Langdon during the early years of their marriage and later moved to the family farm 10 miles south of Walhalla. After retiring and traveling for a few years, they moved to their home just outside of Cavalier.

For most of her life, Marilyn was dedicated to raising her family and working by her husband's side on the farm. After the children were older, Marilyn enjoyed working outside the home, first in Walhalla at Astrocom and Forestwood Inn, followed by several years as a custodian at the Cavalier Air Force Station until her retirement.

Marilyn will be remembered as a loving, dedicated & compassionate wife and mother. She sewed clothes for her young family and in later years enjoyed crafts, quilting, and baking. She was always friendly and loved to visit with friends and neighbors; she could strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and make them feel like an old friend. When hunting season rolled around, hunters could always find a hot cup of coffee and a bite to eat in Marilyn's cozy kitchen. She loved nature and planted hollyhocks near the windows of her kitchen so she could watch the hummingbirds. Her milk cows were her pride and joy; her favorite was appropriately named "Pride."

Marilyn and Donald sang and played guitar in a band, The Dakota Drifters, in the 1960s. Marilyn enjoyed singing and performing; her favorite performers were Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, and Tammy Wynette. Marilyn's love of music lives on in her children and grandchildren.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her father Daniel, mother Olga, son Ronald Joseph, daughter Cynthia Ann, one sister Lillian, and six brothers: Edwin, Clifford, Art, Stanley, George and Alvin.

Marilyn is survived by her devoted husband Donald; beloved daughters: Julia (Bob) Landry of Eagan, MN; Anita (Gary) Stevens of Cavalier, ND; Susan (John) Freienmuth of Rio Rancho, NM; Wanda (Colin) Busch of Kamas, UT; and Dawn (Roger) Gendron of Brooklyn Park, MN; her brother Omer (Ruth) Sundberg of East Grand Forks, ND; 13 grandchildren: Steven (Lalia) Brehmer, Kevin Brehmer, Nikki (Bobby) Auge, Charlie Landry, Patrick Landry, Kent (Janelle) Stevens, Katy Stevens, Paul Stevens, Eric (Jennifer) Freienmuth, Natalie (Colin) Shipley, Nadine (Aaron) Isom, Ashley (Michael) Duchsherer, Brittany Gendron; and 6 great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews.