Marilyn Oen Dies at 83; Lived in Sitka 45 Years

Marilyn Mildred Strobel Oen

Marilyn Mildred Strobel Oen, a former Sitka resident, passed away in the company of her children on May 20, 2021, in Anacortes, Washington. She was 83.

Marilyn was above everything the family grande dame. She created traditions within her family and kept her five children and their children, and their children’s children close to her heart.

Grandma Marilyn was a true homemaker – she willingly shared her skills with her kids and their families. Throughout her life Marilyn enjoyed reading, bridge, church, traveling, sewing, her dog and gardening.

During the pandemic she missed her activities – Celebration Lutheran church, book club, garden club, bridge groups, quilting group and attending the local theatre. She did have her dog Molly, who is great company.

Marilyn was born September 3, 1937, in Pierre, North Dakota. She spent her childhood in North Dakota, attended college, married, and had five children.

In 1965 she moved to Sitka, where she taught school and raised her large family. In 2000 she retired and moved to Anacortes.

Grandma is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

They are David and Connie Oen and their family, Amyee and Ole Oen, Darcie, Levi, Calleigh and Kaisen Egerton; Heather and Stan Saviage and their family, Jason Saviage, Aaron, Nikki, Avila and Ivan Saviage; Eric and Kipper Oen and their family, Chris and Kaley, Julie, Khaleesi and Sven Oen, and Sarah and Hank and Adeline and Olivia Leclerc; Glen and Sonia Oen, and family Jonathen Oen and Travis Oen; and Dawn and Jay Gillman and their family, Gunnar Gillman and Stella Gillman.

Marilyn’s children are hosting a celebration at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 29, at daughter Dawn Gillman’s home at 6755 Hiline Lane, Anacortes. There will be a prayer and time for remembrance at 2 p.m.

“Please come to share Marilyn’s hospitality,” her family said.

Cards may be sent to P.O. Box 651, Anacortes, WA 98221.

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20 YEARS AGO

May 2004

Photo caption: Jimmy Bracket, second mate of the new fast ferry Fairweather gives a tour of the $36 million ship to Sitkans Leslie Pellett and Jeff vonRekowski Thursday. The 235-foot ferry can carry 35 cars and 150 passengers, go as fast as 42 knots and consumes 560 gallons of fuel an hour.


50 YEARS AGO

May 1974

Two changes have been announced in the cruise ship schedules. The first ship to arrive in Sitka will be the Xanadu on May 26, and an additional voyage of the Arcadia will be on Sept. 21, which will mean two ships in port here at the same time: the Arcadia and the Spirit of London. Sitka will have two cruise ships in port on seven days this summer.

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