Marilynn L.(Ring) Martin at the age of 93, passed away peacefully in the presence of loved
ones, Wednesday, March 4, 2020. Marilynn was born on April 26, 1926 in Cokato, Minnesota to
Hilma Christine Erickson and Carl August Ring, two hardworking parents of Swedish descent.
Her parents raised Marilynn and her two older brothers, Courtney and Grant in a Christian
home. They attended Elim Mission Church. Marilynn’s steadfast faith in her Lord Jesus Christ
was rooted both in her church and in her parents’ example.
As a child Marilynn was expected to work hard helping her mother around the house, but she
could also let her hair down. Her diary revealed a very active social life with her childhood
friends. She recalled playing with her dog, Jep, having picnics in “Dead Man’s Woods,” and
adventures with friends on their farms. As a youth, Marilynn worked seasonally at the corn
canning factory and also at the city hospital, where she said she was sometimes the only staff
present through the night.
Marilynn graduated salutatorian from Cokato high school, and then left her hometown to study
at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree and
began work as a medical technologist at Fairview Hospital, where she set a hospital record by
working there over fifty years. She often marveled at the changes in medical technology over
the decades, recalling the days when they waited for an injected rabbit to die as a test for
pregnancy.
Marilynn attended First Covenant Church and sang in its choir, where she met her husband,
Lester L. Martin. They had three daughters, Ann, Elaine, and Carolyn. She hosted many
luncheons, coffee parties, and dinners for family and friends from church, work, the
neighborhood, Cokato. Marilynn was loyal and compassionate, and her friends were all very
dear to her.
In her mid-forties as a single mother after a divorce, Marilynn continued to work hard at home
and part time at the hospital. She was very active in Minnetonka Community Church. As her
children left the nest, she moved to Greenbrier condominiums in Minnetonka. Her grandkids
and kids remember her radiance and joy in those days they came to play tennis and swim at
her condominium’s pool, and her fun-loving spirit the nights her brother and sister in law and
others played Rook cards around the table. How she hated losing! Her dessert would soften
the blow and complete the evening. She attended Wooddale Church during those years,
making new dear friends, and praying faithfully for the members and for their mission outreach.
Marilynn loved music. She sang in choirs and could harmonize like none other. She played tuba
in the high school band because “they needed one.” She loved listening to her brother, Grant,
play jazz on the piano when he’d come home from college. Later, she attended many MN
orchestra concerts and St. Olaf Christmas festivals. In her last years at Jones Harrison
Residence, she surprised the family by calling out for the pop song, “Five foot two, eyes of
blue” whenever the pianist asked for requests.
Even in her last decade, Marilynn had a youthful glow, enjoying the company of her late-in-life
special friend, Norris Halver. She brightened both Jones Harrison and Northfield Retirement
Community’s staff members with her smile and kind words. She was heartbroken when her
daughter, Ann, died in 2015 after a seven year battle with cancer. Marilynn cared deeply about
the well being of her family, and wanted nothing more than for them to be safe, secure and at
peace with God. She spent countless hours in prayer, entrusting them to her Maker. Now she
rests in her Savior’s arms, having lived a life of faith, hope and love.
Marilynn was preceded in death by her parents, Hilma Christine (Erickson) and Carl August
Ring; her brothers, Courtney and Grant; her sister (who died shortly after birth) Elaine; her
daughter, Ann (Robert) Schultz. She is survived by her daughters Elaine (Scott) Nesbit of
Northfield, MN and Carolyn Bizien of Rochester, MN; grandchildren Mark Hibbard, Laura
Thomas, Kate (Eric Emmons) Nesbit, Stina Nesbit, Simon (April) Bizien, Celia Bizien, and
Mallory Bizien; and great grandchildren Zahra and Lila Thomas, Violet Hibbard, and Violeta
Bizien.
A funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, March 13, 2020 with visitation 1 hour prior to services at Wooddale Church (6630 Shady Oak Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55344). Internment will follow lunch at the Cokato City Cemetery at 3:00 PM. Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services is privileged to be of service.