Polly R. Marshall

"Polly" Olga Reppien Marshall, 92, passed away surrounded by family on February 11, 2023 at The Pillars of Mankato.  Services will be at Resurrection Lutheran Church, Mankato, on Tuesday, February 21^st at 11 a.m.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. The service will be livestreamed and available on Polly’s obituary page at www.mankatomortuary.com.

The daughter of Charles and Myrtle Reppien, Polly was born January 5, 1931 and grew up first in Jackson, MN and later in Crookston, MN. After graduating from Crookston High School in 1948, Polly went on to attend St. Olaf College, majoring in Home Economics and graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1952. She married Roland Marshall August 9, 1952 and they moved to Mankato in 1954. They were parents to 2 children: David and Jean.  

Polly taught home economics in Mankato for 30 years, beginning in 1963 - 10 years at Lincoln Junior High School followed by 20 years at Mankato East when that opened in 1973. While teaching, she completed her master's degree at Mankato State College. She loved her students and most enjoyed when she was teaching family finance and child development. One of her proudest teaching accomplishments included setting up a preschool within Mankato East where her students could work with young children.

In addition to teaching, Polly loved travel, adventure and her family – particularly enjoying when she could combine them. Polly made several trips to Denmark to strengthen family ties to the many relatives she had there. She also took each of her 5 grandchildren on a trip to anywhere in the world they wanted to go in celebration of their Lutheran Confirmation. She traveled to many countries including Norway, Germany, Iceland, Turkey and Japan.

Polly was active in many volunteer activities such as with Lutheran Brotherhood, Mankato Lutheran Home, served as an election judge, and was on the board for Glenwood Cemetery. Polly was a founding member of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Mankato. 

Polly is survived by her sister, Ardis Rovelstad, of Largo, FL; brother-in-law, Bill Reynolds, of Crookston, MN; son, David Marshall (Elizabeth) of Helena, MT and their children, Katie Sumey (Chris) of Sioux Falls, SD and Paul Marshall (Megan) of Sioux Falls, SD; daughter, Jean Bye (Tim) of Madison Lake, MN and their children, Becci Dietzman (Paul) of Trimont, MN, Dan Bye (Krista) of Delano, MN and Tom Bye (Jessica) of Madison Lake, MN; and great grandchildren, Elijah, Kirsa and Ingrid Sumey, Camden and Caleb Dietzman, Isaac and Eleanor Marshall, Wesley, Gemma, Nolan, and Blakely Bye. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roland; her brother-in-law, Roger Rovelstad; her sister, Joyce Reynolds; and her beloved dog, Akira Nanook.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials directed to Resurrection Lutheran Church in Mankato, MN, Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society or Glenwood Cemetery in Mankato, MN.  Family would like to thank the wonderful, caring Pillars staff for their love and support.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.