Marilyn Jellema, age 75, passed away Friday, June 26, 2026, at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, Minn.
A funeral service was at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday July 1, 2026, at Steen Reformed Church in Steen, Minn., with Reverend Jeremy Wiersema, officiating. Burial followed at Hills Christian Reformed Cemetery. Visitation was from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, at Steen Reformed Church.
Marilyn Kay Jellema was born October 8, 1950, in Adrian, Minn., the daughter of Wilfred and Celine (Scheffler) Klein. She grew up in Adrian, where she attended St. Adrian School. After graduating, she furthered her education at the vocational-technical school in Jackson, Minn. While working at Lourdes in Rochester, Minn., Marilyn would ride the bus back to Adrian every weekend to spend time with the love of her life, Jim Jellema. Jim would then drive her back to Rochester on Sunday evenings. It was on one of those Sunday evening drives that Jim took her to Swan Lake and asked for her hand in marriage. With tradition, Marilyn told him, “You must ask my parents first.” He did just that. On June 17, 1972, Marilyn and Jim were united in marriage at St. Adrian Catholic Church. The couple made their home in Hills, Minn., and were blessed with two children, Jodi and Wade. When Jodi was born, Marilyn chose to stay home to raise her. Shortly after, a friend asked if she would be interested in watching another child. Little did Marilyn know that single request would launch a legendary 47-year career as a dedicated childcare provider. By the time she retired at the end of 2022, Marilyn had gained 157 “best friends for life”—the children she poured her heart into raising alongside her own.
Marilyn was a faithful member of the Steen Reformed Church. She would attend local events, watching and cheering on all the Hills-Beaver Creek school activities. She also loved the camaraderie and creativity of her community groups, including the Happy Hookers knitting club, the quilting group at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and her SAIL class at Game Plan 4 Hope. Above all else, her greatest joy was watching her children, grandchildren, and “best friends” participate in all their various activities.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 54 years, Jim; children, Jodi (Chris) Harnack and Wade (Kylah) Jellema all of Hills, Minn; grandsons, Easton Harnack and Brock Harnack; siblings, Duane (Christine) Klein of Rollingstone, Minn., Shirley (Steve) Top of Luverne, Minn., Connie (Joel) Hesse of Jackson, Minn., Carroll (Allen) Miller of Worthington, Minn., Pam (Dan) Dobson of Belle Plaine, Minn.; sister-in-law, Sandy Klein of Luverne, Minn.; along with many extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilfred and Celine Klein; parents-in-law, Ocke and Jeanette Jellema; siblings, Daryl Klein, Ronnie Klein, Tom Klein; brothers-in-law, Leland Jellema and Norman Jellema; and niece, Stacy Jellema.
Blessed be her memory
