Marian Willmann
April 10, 1925 ~ October 9, 2019
Marian Willmann, 94, Geneva, IL, (formerly of Fargo and Bismarck, ND) passed away on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, at BRIA of Geneva in Geneva, IL.
Marian was born in Bismarck, North Dakota, on April 10, 1925, to Charles W. McGarvey and Rose (Miles) McGarvey.
Marian was raised and educated in the Bismarck area. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1943. Upon graduating she worked at Provident Life.
On June 14, 1947, Marian married Bill A. Willmann at Holy Spirit Cathedral in Bismarck. They were blessed with a daughter (Kathy) and son (Ken).
Bill and Marian lived in Bismarck until 1956 when Bill became Manager of Hart Motor Express in Fargo. Marian was a Cub Scout leader and Campfire leader while their children were members. When their children were older she worked at the Fargo License Bureau and later at the Northport Post Office. When Bill retired, they spent their winters in Arizona and summer months at their lake home in Minnesota. They moved back to Bismarck in 2004. In 2014, they moved to Fargo and resided there until Bill’s death in December 2015. Marian then moved to her daughter’s home in Geneva, IL. She was a resident of BRIA of Geneva at the time of her death.
Marian is survived by her daughter Kathy McMahon, Geneva, IL, her son Ken (Cindy) Willmann, Fargo, ND, four grandchildren, Jane Dotson and her children Dakota and Amanda, Todd Brown and his children Tanner and Riley, Jeffrey Willmann (Jana Peterman) and their children Eliana, Ruby and McKenna, and Jodi (Jason) Stout and their children Ava, Noah and Eden, two sisters Rose Mary Chichester and Peggi (Gene) Guilbault, three brothers, Patrick McGarvey, Jerry (Angie) McGarvey and Tom McGarvey, sisters-in-law, Mary Ann McGarvey, Bobbie McGarvey and Flora McGarvey and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, three infant sons, parents, brothers Terry, Bob, Chuck, Ralph, and Dick, sister Patricia Dunbar and son-in-law William McMahon.
Jerry and I are so sorry to hear about Marian’s death. It doesn’t make any difference the age, she will still be missed. She was such a sweet person. Unfortunately, we will not be able to attend her funeral. We will be praying for her and for all of you, Kathy and Kenny, and your families. I know this isn’t easy.
Our prayers will also include her remaining siblings, Rose Mary, Tom, Pat, Peggi, their families and, of course, Jerry. There are also in-laws that will miss her and I am one of them.
Phyllis Silbernagel, so sorry for the loss of your beloved Mom, grandmother or Aunt. She was an amazing lady that I got to know by distributing communion to, also a wonderful Dad you had. Whenever I delivered communion to her, I would be there for about a half hour to 45 minutes. They truly enjoyed visiting. I would take goodies for them to enjoy together. Never forget when Marian fell by the end of the bed, she was truly black and blue, and she would say, if only I would have used my walker. I stopped in to visit your folks when they lived in Fargo, and after your Dad passed on Marian said, I’m going to live with my daughter in Illinois. But we still kept in contact by phone which I truly enjoyed. I must say thank you Kathy for caring for an awesome MOM that you had. She’s now at peace and with her beloved husband. Will try to make it for the wake. My sincere condolences to you all. Prayers are sent your way.
So sorry to hear about your mom Kenny. Her journey has ended and now she will watch over your family from above. I will be praying for your family.l
Kathy Lynch Ashe