Marcia (Brown) Guderjahn

A CELEBRATION OF MARCIA'S LIFE WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2022 AT 1:00 P.M. AT THE RAMSEY COUNTY EVENT CENTER, RURAL DEVILS LAKE ND. 

Marcia (Brown) Guderjahn passed away peacefully at home on February 7^th surrounded by her devoted and caring family, building beautiful memories, especially of the recent holidays.

Marcia was born the third child of five to Merle and Lorraine (Parslow) Brown on December 14^th, 1948. She was raised in Hansboro, ND attending school there until it closed following her freshman year. She then graduated from Rolla High School as it’s valedictorian in 1967 before heading to the University of North Dakota.

She and Fred “Patrick” Guderjahn were married on April 4^th, 1969, and they were married for 52 years. Their lives followed Pat’s career in the grain elevator business living in Rolla and Hansboro, ND, Circle MT and Harlow, ND. During that time, they welcomed a son, Ryan Patrick and completed the family with a daughter, Melissa Dee. Many of those years were spent supporting her children’s many school and extra-curricular activities logging hundreds of miles to the many games, meets, and festivals; oftentimes, one of the loudest spectators in the crowd.

Following Pat’s retirement, the couple relocated to Devils Lake where Marcia became a state employee working at Job Service and the Lake Region Human Service Center enjoying the fulfillment of both jobs and the friendship of many co-workers. After her retirement, some of her best times were spent at the gym with her exercise and swimming ladies and at the quilt guild, the local quilt shop, and multiple quilting retreats with her many special sewing friends. Besides her sewing and stitching hobbies, she also enjoyed reading, watching TV, and playing games on her tablet.

One of her greatest joys was traveling to see her children in Montana and Nevada. A real special trip this fall was enjoyed attending four of her granddaughter, Kyla’s cross country meets and cheering her loudly to the finish line.

“Side by side, or miles apart, sisters are always close to the heart.” So, it was with Marcia and her sisters. They had many stories as kids and grown-ups alike. “The sisters” made many long and short trips to include We-Fest, country concerts, and craft shows, often traveling with their blender. Their longer excursions took them to see the sights of Tennessee, Florida, Hawaii, Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.

Marcia is survived by her husband Pat, her son Ryan, his wife Lydia and children Katie and Daniel of Las Vegas, NV; her daughter Melissa Meissner, her husband Justin and daughter Kyla Lorraine of Townsend, MT. Surviving also are sisters Vonda Haapoja of Thief River Falls, MN, Charlene (John) Gange of Wahpeton, MN, and brother Perry Brown of Garfield, WA. Also surviving are in-laws Vonnie (Harvey) Haakenson, Janette Mattson, Pam (Don) Milhalevic, Debbie (Andy) Patnaude, Mike (Sonia) Guderjahn, Ted (Dot) Guderjahn, Nan Azure, Brian (Terri) Guderjahn, and Bob (Kimberlee) Guderjahn and many nieces and nephews along with their families.

She was preceded in passing by her parents, Merle and Lorraine, her in-laws Leonard and Ida Guderjahn, brother Keith Brown and brothers-in-law William Haapoja and Delmar Mattson and niece Amanda Guderjahn.

Services will take place the last full weekend in April: time and location to be announced. Memorials can be made to the Mayo Clinic or the charity of your choice.

Marcia is in the care of the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake. Condolences may be expressed at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com.