Marlys Hope Gathje, 84, of Rochester, MN, died August 2, 2021, at St Marys Hospital.

Marlys was born June 6, 1937, in Dover, MN, to Harold and Delia (Younger) Liskow. She graduated from St Charles High School in 1955. On July 9, 1960, she married David Gathje at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. They lived in Rochester for all their 61 years of married life.

She was the self-proclaimed Marbles Champ of St Charles Elementary School and the 8th grade Spelling Bee Champion. She trained as a registered nurse at the Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing.  Later in life, she was a founding member of Resurrection Parish, taught Bible studies, led confirmation classes, and served as a Sacristan, a Reader and a Eucharistic Minister. Marlys also volunteered as a Scouting leader and was mother to 5 Eagle Scouts,

Her comforting and kind spirit was ever present and would put people around her at ease; young and old alike. She enjoyed time with her Tuesday morning church group, the "Coffee Chicks" and served regularly at funerals, but she could also joke around with the teenagers and she could snuggle any fussy baby to sleep in minutes.

She was a mother to her own 6 children as well as all the other kids that came through her kitchen and shared her love of baking through many dozens of cookies she baked for every season and occasion of the year.

'Granny' loved her 12 grandchildren and multiple grand dogs. She was an ever present superfan for her kids' and grandkids' activities through the years and an avid Minnesota Twins fan.

She traveled extensively, including to Europe, to the Holy Land, many trips to Hawaii, and on RV adventures throughout the United States (including Alaska), as well as Canada and Mexico.

She was a country music fan and made many trips to Nashville and Branson.

Marlys took yearly fishing trips to Canada with her husband, children and grandchildren for 40 years. She was a multiple-Master Walleye Angler, occasionally even using gummy worms with the grandkids.

Whether she was known as Marlys, sister, aunt, cousin, 'Pudge', neighbor, friend, 'Granny', wife, or Mom, she was loved by all who knew her and her memory will be treasured forever.

She is survived by her loving husband; her sons, Dean (Maria), Dan, Tim, Chris (Teresa), and Jaime (Shelby); and her daughter, Deb (Tony) Stai; and her 12 grandchildren along with special nieces and nephews.

Marlys was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings, Mayvorette Leferink, Phyllis Walz, Burnette Strain, Russel "Bud" Liskow, Lyle "Boots" Liskow, and Carol Mays.

Her Funeral Mass will be held on at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 5, at Resurrection Catholic Church in Rochester, MN. Visitation will be held at the church starting at 9:30 and a luncheon will follow the Mass. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.

The family extends its deep gratitude to 7 Mary Brigh and 4 Domitilla care teams as well as the palliative and hospice teams. Memorials can be sent to Mayo Clinic Hospice.