Marilyn Kay Wilson, 75

Marilyn Kay Wilson, 75, of Columbia Falls, “was ushered into the presence of her Lord and Savior” on March 4, 2014, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

She was born on March 19, 1938, in Custer, S.D., the daughter of Kenneth Cowles and Marion (Pierce) Cowles.

Marilyn married R. Cleve Wilson on April 13, 1957. While raising a family they built their home on Palmer Creek Road at the base of Harney Peak in the Black Hills of South Dakota, largely by themselves. In addition, they started their thriving business of Mostly Rocks while working as wholesale sales representatives in the gift and souvenir industry.

A long, enduring passion of Marilyn’s was fly fishing, which she always enjoyed with her partner Cleve. She was a lifelong, ferocious reader, always having three or four books going at the same time. She enjoyed raising and showing collies and shelties and was an impressive gardener, particularly with heirloom tomatoes.

Marilyn is survived by Cleve, her husband of 57 years; son, Dean, and LaVerna Wilson, of Greeley, Colo.; son, David Wilson, of Rapid City, S.D.; daughter, Sharon, and Casey Heupel, of West Glacier; grandchildren, Mistyque and Kaleb Menn, and Martina and Logan Heupel; and great-grandson, Rawson Menn.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 14, at the Columbia Mortuary Chapel in Columbia Falls. A reception will follow at Timber Creek Village, 375 Meadow Lake Blvd., Columbia Falls.

For any memorials, Cleve asks that you make them to the Humane Society of Northwest Montana or to your local Humane Society in memory of Marilyn Wilson.

Arrangements are entrusted to Columbia Mortuary. You are invited to go to www.columbiamortuary.com to offer condolences and view Marilyn’s tribute wall.