Maridee Saldana

Maridee Saldana, age 67, of Madelia, MN, died on February 20, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Saint James, MN.

Visitation will be on Monday, February 27, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel.  A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm and Vigil Prayers will follow the Rosary.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the St. Mary's Catholic Church, Madelia, on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 1:00 pm.  Visitation  will be 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at the Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel.

The clergy will be Fr. Timothy Hall. Interment will be at a later date.

Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel in Madelia. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Maridee Ann Saldaña passed away peacefully on her 67th birthday, February 20th, 2023. Maridee was born in Blue Earth, Minnesota to Marvel and Lawrence Johnson, but was raised in Truman, Minnesota, where she was a graduate of Truman High School in 1974. Upon graduation she moved to Madelia in 1974, where she would meet her husband Heriberto "Kico" Saldaña while working at Tony Down Foods.

Maridee was a very talented seamstress and crafter.  She made many baptism gowns, wedding dresses, hardanger crafts, as well as plenty of blankets for friends and family to keep warm on long winter nights.  In recent years, she would be caught making crocheted animals and characters for her grandchildren.

Maridee was also once known as one of Madelia’s own Popcorn Ladies.  Many may remember the days of the bright blue ‘62 Ford Vanet that would sit on the corner of Main Street and Center Avenue during the summer selling popcorn, gummy worms, and snow cones.  Another summertime favorite was her tacos in the stone shelter during park days. When summer was over, she would be found making delicious baked goods and canning produce from their garden along with getting behind the wheel of a school bus driving kids home or the sports teams to practice and games.

Maridee was always very fond of trying a new place to eat or going on new adventures. She and Kico would load up the conversion van and head in any direction.  Some of her best stories would come from the reminiscing of past road trips.  If there was a good time to be had, she would be sure to find it.

She will be remembered by her loud, vivacious laugh that would echo in every direction, as well as her quick-witted remarks and comments. She will be greatly missed by her husband, son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, friends, and family.

Maridee is survived by her husband of 48 years, Heriberto "Kico" Saldaña of Madelia, MN; son, Adam (Tara) Saldaña; granddaughters, Amara and Adalyn Saldaña of Valrico, FL; sister, Marla (Rick) Mueller of LeSuer MN, her Aunt Geri Peterson of Truman, MN, as well as many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Marvel Johnson (Truman, MN); daughter, Anna Romero Saldana (Madelia, MN) and brother Dewayne Troff (Blue Earth, MN).