Obituary of Marilyn Janet Hilsen

Marilyn Janet Hilsen gained her angel wings on December 7th, 2022. She was surrounded by family and the pastor from church. Marilyn was 80 years old.

 

She was born on December 30th, 1941 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to parents Harold and Jeannette Hilsen.

 

Marilyn graduated from Richardson High School in Richardson Texas, and she was a national honor student.

 

In June of 1961 Marilyn and John Otto Feierabend were married and had four children. John was a pastor which was cause for them to move around the States until they ended up in Idaho. Later being a newly single mother of two children she moved to Washington State in 1984.

 

In February of 1985 Marilyn met and fell in love with Kenneth Edward Calkins. They were married in August of 1991.

 

Marilyn went to and graduated from Highline Community College in 1987, where she received training and became a respiratory therapist. She worked at the University of Washington Medical Center for 20 years before retiring in 2007.

 

Marilyn and Ken spent their retirement years attending church. singing in the choir, traveling and spending time with family and loved ones.

 

Marilyn was a fantastic story teller and also had a knack for telling jokes. She was very much into crafts such as knitting, quilting, sewing and making button bracelets. Not only was her faith strong but she also enjoyed singing and music just as much.

 

In 2014 Marilyn started what was to be a long and hard battle with cancer. Even though it was cancer that was to take her from this earth, she fought with grace and dignity.

 

At every stop along the way, Marilyn made lifelong friends. She will forever be remembered as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, coworker and friend.

 

She is preceded in death by two of her sons Bradley and Karl, and her parents Harold and Jeannette.

 

Marilyn is survived by her husband Kenneth, daughter Anne (Mark), son Justin, sisters Adele and Louise (Donald).

 

Her memorial service will be held on March 11th at 11am at Trinity Lutheran Church 12115 Park Ave S. Tacoma, WA. 98444

 

Flowers are welcome or donations can be made in Marilyn's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.