Marilyn J Nodsle

Marilyn Backstrom Nodsle (July 9, 1931 – April 17, 2025)

Marilyn Jeanette Backstrom was born July 9, 1931, to Elmer and Jennie (Gustafson) Backstrom in Maine Township in Ottertail County, younger sister to Lennart and Elroy. Marilyn was baptized at Central Lutheran Church, Pelican Rapids.

The family moved from Maine Township to live with grandparents near Erhard, MN. Marilyn went to elementary school at District 17 and District 161 in Maplewood Township. She went to a one room country schoolhouse for 8 years. She then went to Pelican Rapids High School where she graduated in 1949. She continued to attend her class reunions annually, with the most recent reunion just last summer.

Marilyn grew up on a farm where she gardened, raised chickens, and milked cows. One summer, she worked at a restaurant in Erhard where she earned $.25 per hour with very few tips. She actually did better raising chickens, where she earned enough money to buy a bedroom set. She taught 4th grade Sunday school and sang in the church choir at Central Lutheran Church, where she was also confirmed.

On August 27, 1950, she married Orville Nodsle at Central Lutheran Church. They bought and lived on a 40-acre farm in Maplewood Township, later moved to Moorhead and eventually landed in Detroit Lakes, where Orville started Nodsle Construction in 1953. Marilyn helped Orville with business tasks in the office and with wood staining on various projects. Together they raised 6 children, LuAnn, Renita, Perry, Wayne, Jodee and Mark. She spent much time getting kids to church, school and sports activities through the years.

Marilyn was involved with various social groups and hobbies throughout her life. As a young girl, she kept scrapbooks with newspaper clippings. Clipping from the newspaper continued through her adult life and she amassed many articles about family and friends. She brought joy to many as she gave these articles to friends years later. Marilyn was a member of Circle at church for over 50 years and served as secretary for over 30 years. She was in a Bridge Club and coffee groups with ladies in the neighborhood. She assisted with 4-H projects. In the 1980s, she trained with a group in the hospitality industry. Following this training, she worked as a receptionist at the Detroit Lakes Chamber of Commerce and also at the Becker County Human Services. She worked until 1993 when Orville became ill. In 2018, Marilyn sold her longtime home on Gary Avenue and moved to the Winchester Apartments. At Winchester, she enjoyed socializing with friends, working many puzzles, going on field trips and continuing her crocheting and word searches.

This lady changed thousands of diapers that were not disposable, tended to many scrapes, stitches and broken bones, helped with school projects and homework, refereed sibling fights, put up with beginner band and piano lessons, and attended many sporting events in some of the coldest ice arenas in northern Minnesota. She also fed anyone who came through her kitchen and always had cookies in the freezer, which was no secret. Marilyn enjoyed flower gardening every summer, crocheting, making quilts for her grandchildren and double dollop chocolate frosting on her special crazy cake cupcakes. She loved it all because it was all about her family. She never missed an opportunity to send her kids, grandkids and great-grands greeting cards on every occasion.

Marilyn was preceded in death by parents Elmer and Jennie Backstrom, infant son Richard Orville Nodsle, brother and sister-in-law Lennart and Dorothy Backstrom, brother and sister-in-law Elroy and Leone Backstrom, Nodsle in laws, LeRoy Nodsle, Harriet Nodsle Backstrom and Duane Nodsle, and Godchildren Loren Backstrom and Tim Nodsle.

Marilyn is survived by children LuAnn Ford, Renie (Kenn) Herbert, Perry (Carmen) Nodsle, Wayne (Amy) Nodsle, Jodee (Gerry) Adams and Mark (Natasha) Nodsle and grandchildren Joel (Allison Richards) Ford, Jennie (Bob) Soucheray, Andrew Herbert, Patrick (Libby Nelson) Herbert, Anna, Megan and Owen Nodsle, Morgan Nodsle and Calvin (Kalley Waller) Nodsle, great grandchildren Jack and Cameron Soucheray, Audrey Jo Nelson and Jameson Herbert and her furry grand dogs, Bloomers, Poppy, Louie, Frannie and great grand dogs Cora, Bean, Howie, Dudley and Buster.