Marilyn Hunstad

Marilyn Ann Hunstad, 90, of Saint James, died November 11, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at First Lutheran Church in Saint James with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Saint Olaf Lutheran Cemetery in rural Odin. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James. Online Condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Marilyn was born on June 4, 1935, to Howard and Emma (Lockner) Wickler in Fairmont, Minnesota, the youngest of 5 children. On October 5, 1957, she married Arlo Hunstad at the First Presbyterian Church in Fairmont. They settled in Saint James in 1960. Together, they raised two daughters, Debra and Angela.

Marilyn graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1953. She graduated from Methodist Kahler School of Nursing, Rochester in 1956, to become a Registered Nurse. Marilyn worked as an RN for 23 years with Watonwan Memorial Hospital. She also did direct sales of jewelry with the Sara Coventry Company for about 3 years until she went to Mankato State University, where in 1981, she received her Bachelor's degree in Social Work. As a Social Worker, she helped to establish Swing Bed, Home Care and Hospice programs for Madelia, Saint James and other nearby communities. She completed her career in 1999, after caring for residents and families of Pleasant View Good Samaritan Society for over 11 years.

In her free time, Marilyn participated in church activities, Ladies Circle, Prayer groups, Choir and Community Theater. She enjoyed shopping, decorating for holidays, cooking, rubber stamping, scrapbooking, card-making, candlewick, and cross stitch. She and Arlo loved their time with grandchildren and traveling, especially to Branson,Missouri and Lake Okoboji, Iowa.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Arlo; daughters, Debra (Kenneth) Lindberg of Lafayette, Minnesota and Angela (Dennis) Mott of Saint Peter, Minnesota; grandchildren, Simon Lindberg, Tasha Tirmizi, Ashlee Lindberg, and Emmalie (Nathan Loosbrock) Mott; goddaughter, Kristi Nett; and many nieces and nephews.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her father; her mother; brothers, Howard and James; and sisters, Delores Wilke and Joyce Brockman.