Marilyn Monnier Amundsen

Marilyn Monnier Amundsen passed away peacefully from late stage dementia in her home in Wake Forest, NC on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2020. She was guided by an unwavering faith and was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she was a member of the alter guild and taught Sunday school. She actively participated in church life until moving to Raleigh, NC in 2017. She then attended regular church services at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Marilyn was born to Barbara and Victor Abendroth in Kalamazoo, MI on April 4, 1931. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Joseph Monnier and Alvan Amundsen, her only sibling, William Abendroth and a step-son, Gordon Monnier. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1949. She loved her job working for Bell Telephone Company as an operator during high school and after graduation. She married her first love, Joseph Monnier, on January 14, 1950 and had three daughters Julie, Laurie and Kathie and helped raised her step-son Gordon. She later married a long time friend, Alvin Amundsen, on January 3, 1998. Marilyn was a founding member of the Kalamazoo Stroke Club, which gave a social outlet to stroke victims and their caregivers, she remained active long after her husband passed away. She devoted much of her time and energy as a caregiver to her husband until he passed away and then to her mother who passed away, both in her home. Nothing in Marilyn’s life was more important than her family. She was GramaM to everyone. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and especially loved the family’s annual vacations at the Outer Banks, or “The Banks” as she liked to say. She enjoyed working in her yard and with her flowers. She always enjoyed sewing clothes for her girls and baking for Sunday dinner. In later years she enjoyed spending time watching her great grandchildren grow and play. Marilyn’s family includes daughters Julie Nicholson and husband Bruce, Laurie Hutt and Kathie Vartyak and husband Tony. Four grandchildren, Kristi (Mike) Walker, Jason (Rachelle) Hutt, Ashley (Jon) Oberheide and Brenten (Kelly) Vartyak and seven great grandchildren. Special thanks to Kelley, Shelica, Tracy, Moriah and all the staff at Kelley’s Family Care Home. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. in the Bright Funeral Home chapel. Social distancing and face coverings are appreciated. The service will be live streamed at www.brightfunerals.com A memorial service will be scheduled for family and friends during the summer of 2021in Kalamazoo, MI. Memorial donations may be made to Transitions LifeCare at www.transitionslifecare.org or to Saving Grace NC at www.savinggracenc.org Local arrangements are by Parchment Redmond Funeral Home, Parchment, MI. www.redmondfuneralhomes.net