Marlys Froland

Marlys Froland, formerly of Clarkfield died on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at Luther Haven Nursing Home at the age of 92.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, February 6, 2026 at Clarkfield Lutheran Church in Clarkfield. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 to 7:00PM on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo and will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Friday.  In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Luther Haven Activities, Clarkfield American Legion Auxiliary, and Brookside Manor Dementia Wing Activities.

Marlys Jean (Anderson) Froland was born on June 28, 1933 to Johannes and Margaret (Stensrud) Anderson in Goodridge, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at Ekelund Lutheran Church in Goodridge, MN.

After attending her freshman year at Thief River Falls High School, the family moved to Clarkfield where Marlys attended Clarkfield High School and graduated with the class of 1951. Marlys met Archie at a local house party and they were united in marriage on October 4, 1952 at Clarkfield Lutheran Church where they remained lifelong members. They settled in the Clarkfield area, became farmers, and had three children: Wayne, Steven and Debra.

Marlys was a loving and supportive wife and mother. As was common on family farms, Marlys helped with farming activities and chores, running for parts, driving the tractor during Fall harvest and plowing season, while managing the home, cooking delicious hot meals and delivering “lunch” to the field where the men were working. Marlys and Archie would both sometimes work at the ASC office in Clarkfield in the winter months. She worked outside the home periodically including as a staff person in the 'Red & White' grocery store in Clarkfield, at the Clarkfield High School office as secretary and later as a Home Interiors Representative organizing and working through home parties. She loved decorating, and especially creating flower arrangements. Crocheting was another hobby that Marlys enjoyed. Also, Marlys and Archie both worked occasionally supporting auctions for Glen Jorgenson (auctioneer).

Marlys was active in the community and church groups through the years. She joined the Clarkfield American Legion Auxiliary in 1972 and was a member for 54 years. Marlys proudly served as Minnesota American Legion Auxiliary 7th District President from 2003-2004. She traveled throughout the 7th District in Minnesota meeting with and speaking at local American Legion Auxiliary units promoting participation of members in their community, supporting veterans and programs. Marlys and Archie were both passionate about serving and honoring veterans and promoting patriotism.

Attending all the local parades and threshing shows was an annual event, picnics in the parks and gathering with their friends group with old cars. They were often in the Clarkfield parade with the Legion and Auxiliary.

Music was enjoyed and often the focus for a gathering with friends. Marlys played the piano and accordion mostly for the family at home. She and Archie would sometimes play “The Saturday Night Waltz” together, each on their own accordion.

Archie and Marlys were members of the Hazel Run Fiddle Footers, a large square-dance club that met at the Hazel Run Town Hall. The men wore western shirts and ties that matched the dress of their wives. Years later (2014) Marlys wore one of her square dance dresses for a Halloween party at the Clarkfield Care Center with the Legion Auxiliary group.

In addition to square dance music, they enjoyed polkas, waltzes, country western and gospel music; attending several Lowell Lundstrom Family crusades.

Marlys was most passionate about family and spending quality time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved family gatherings and staying in touch with extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins. She had very fond memories of her relatives and friends “up north” near Goodridge and Thief River Falls and would visit the area when she could.

Marlys and Archie and family would travel across the country - several times to California -visiting other friends and relatives along the way. And later, to spend time with their children and grandchildren, that for a while, had all ended up in California. They were always enthusiastic and faithfully attended school and sports activities for their grandchildren.

'Coffee time' with her sisters and friends was special to Marlys. She and her sisters, Dorothy and Bernice, would often make donuts together, share other recipes and, of course, taste them all over coffee.

Marlys is well-known among her children and grandchildren for her welcoming hugs and smiles and always fun-to-visit home, always fully stocked with delicious home-cooked meals, bars, cookies, pies, Schwan’s ice cream treats ,lefse, and especially, her cinnamon rolls. Grandchildren were always welcome along with their friends; Marlys was always happy to include others: “The more the merrier”!

Marlys had faith in Jesus Christ. Over the years she had highlighted notes in her Bible and one of them being John 16:33 (Jesus is speaking to his disciples): “I have told you these things, so in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

In her later years, Marlys was a resident of Brookside Senior Living Memory Care and Luther Haven Nursing Home, both in Montevideo, MN. She received wonderful care and was immersed in a social setting with activities, which was very important to Marlys. She was known for her smile which she always generously shared with family and the staff that cared for her.

Marlys is preceded in death by her husband Archie Froland, her parents Johannes and Margaret (Stensrud) Anderson, brother Gordon Anderson, and sister Dorothy Brown.

Marlys is survived by her children, Wayne Froland (Mila Maizels) of Pennsylvania, Steven (Lisa) Froland of Texas, Deb (Jim) Waller of Clarkfield; grandchildren: Darrick (Nicole) Waller, Nicholas (Kari) Waller, Jennifer (Bryn) Homuth, Ruth (Kade) Wells, Nathan (Rebekah) Waller, Kyle Froland, Cory (Emily) Froland; great grandchildren: Elliott, Isaac and Ian Waller, Daniel and Emma Waller, Adeleine, Atlas, Viggo and Winter Homuth, Henry Wells, Laura and Grant Waller; brother, Arden & Patricia Anderson, sister, Bernice & Gene Moseng, brother in law, Merlyn Brown, sisters-in-law, Rachel Froland, Donna Olson, Myra Froland, Janice Froland; aunt, Lila Anderson and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Luther Haven Activities, Clarkfield American Legion Auxiliary, and Brookside Manor Dementia Wing Activities.