Marilynn "Mert" Pribula

Marilynn (Mert) Elayne Pribula passed away May 8, 2025, in Fargo, North Dakota, into the loving arms of Jesus, surrounded by family and assisted by the caring staff at Bethany Retirement Living and Ethos Hospice.

Marilynn was born March 15, 1938, in Barnesville, Minnesota, to Ruth (Thrane) and John (Elken). She was married to Charles Demester, on September 24, 1960, who passed away in 2000. She later married Gerald Pribula in 2001, who passed away in 2010.

Marilynn attended school in Moorhead, graduating from high school in 1956, and completed a Secretarial Finishing Course of Study at Aaker’s Business College in Grand Forks, North Dakota, in 1958. She later enhanced her education through selected business courses at the University of North Dakota. Marilynn worked in various roles including banking, human services, and eventually retired from the business office at the State Developmental Center in Grafton.

Marilynn enjoyed her retirement years in Arizona and Las Vegas and later moved to Fargo, where she resided for the past decade, to be closer to family and the lake country in Walker, MN.

Marilynn was a gifted friend maker and invested a lifetime in nurturing friendships everywhere she went. She enjoyed the lake country with friends and family at Rocky Point and Walker Bay. She especially enjoyed hosting happy hour(s) on her deck at her Northwoods Beach condo. Her passion for welcoming and extending hospitality was truly her special gift, even as she journeyed through the changes and challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease, she continued to make new friends. Her faith sustained her throughout her lifetime. She embodied faith through her generous interactions and” walked the talk” of her beliefs by honoring differences, in the spirit of nonjudgement. One of her often repeated phrases was, “to each their own”. Her daily devotional was, “Jesus is Calling,” and her handwritten yellow sticky note on the back read, “Jesus keep me aware of your presence”. This presence was experienced in her daily practice of gazing up at the sky. Her mantra was, “look at the sky, look at the sky, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it so beautiful”, each new day was more beautiful than the day before. Her sense of humor remained with her, even into her final days. When the Bethany team asked her if she wanted ice cream, chocolate, etc.…, always accompanied by coffee, she would affectionately quip, “duh”! This expression became contagious among the staff.

Survivors include her four daughters Julie Watkins (Tom), Las Vegas, NV, Lonnie Pederson (Jeff), Fargo, ND, Ruth Drake (Dale), Grand Forks, ND, Holly Perry (Craig), Andover, MN.

Grandchildren include Tom Watkins (Chelsea), Charley Watkins, Johnny Watkins (Nikki), Jolee Lilja (Matthew), Taylor Schnitzler (Zachary), Jarred Pederson, Kate Pederson (Corey), Chase Perry (Madi), Chloe Church (Jake), and Charley Perry.

Marilynn was also blessed to have six great-grandchildren including Scarlett and Wylder Watkins, Lucy and Kit Lilja, Soren and Sam Schnitzler (and more on the way), and many nieces and nephews.

Marilynn expanded her circle of family to include a loving stepfamily, Gerald’s son and daughter Scott and Shelly Pribula and grandchildren Rachel and Jonathan Pribula.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Charles Demester and Gerald Pribula, sisters June Crook and Delores Brodigan.

Service: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 19, 2025, Grafton Lutheran Church
Burial: St. Johns Cemetery Grafton, ND

Marilynn was a lifelong member of Grafton Lutheran, the church where her four daughters were confirmed. Memorial gifts can be offered to Grafton Lutheran Church.