Marilyn Lindbeck

Marilyn Lindbeck passed away peacefully on June 26, 2025. Marilyn was born July 20, 1928 in Ely, MN to Jacob “Jack” Francis Lampe and Alina Catherine (Isaacson) Lampe. She grew up in Ely with her older brother Harlan. Marilyn was married to her high school sweetheart, John Robert Lindbeck, on December 19, 1953 in Ely, MN.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, John, in 2009. She is survived by her two children, James (Mary Guzowski) of Minneapolis, MN, and Aline (Anne Bailey) of Stillwater, MN and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

Marilyn attended grade school and high school in Ely, and grew up loving the summer and winter activities of northern Minnesota. She enjoyed skiing, skating, tennis, swimming and numerous canoe trips as a child. After finishing high school, Marilyn spent her first two years of college at Ely Junior College before transferring to the University of Minnesota where she studied Pharmacy. Marilyn was the only woman in her Pharmacy class and the first female to graduate from the U of M school of Pharmacy. She was a pioneer her whole life, and always believed that she could do whatever she set her mind to, regardless of whether or not it had ever been done by a woman. She passed on this inner strength and determination (Finnish “sisu”) to her children and to many friends, family, and colleagues throughout her life. After graduating with a BS in Pharmacy in 1951, Marilyn worked as a Pharmacist at the University Hospital in Minneapolis. In the summer of 1952, Marilyn took a 2-month trip to Europe by ship with college friends and had an amazing summer adventure. Upon her return, John met her at the harbor and proposed to her. They were engaged and got married in December the following year.

Marilyn and John settled in Kalamazoo, Michigan after John got a job as a Professor at Western Michigan University and Marilyn, as a Pharmacist at Borgess Hospital, and later Bronson Hospital. Although Marilyn and John lived in Kalamazoo for the next many decades, they never forgot their northern Minnesota roots, where they built a summer cabin on Little Long Lake in Ely. Marilyn and John spent summers up at the cabin from the time they were in their early 40’s until their 80’s. Being at the lake was one of Marilyn’s favorite places to be, spending time in the kitchen baking blueberry pies, sailing, canoeing in the Boundary Waters, taking saunas, and spending time with great friends and family. She was a marvelous hostess and somehow prepared bountiful meals for visitors in her small cabin kitchen. She treasured the summer visits she had with her two close cousins, Carol (Gustafson) Landa and MaryAnn “Bebe”(Starkman) Porthan, and her dear friend Helen (Skufca) Sampson.

Marilyn had a passion for music from very early on, and studied piano and cello as a child. As an adult she loved attending performances by the Kalamazoo Symphony, the Chicago Lyric Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera. She especially loved choral music and listened to the Metropolitan Opera on the radio every Saturday afternoon. Marilyn passed on this love of music to her children.

Marilyn also had a passion for history and world travel. She and John traveled to many foreign lands during their life together. Marilyn and John spent a sabbatical year (1967-1968) outside of London; Marilyn often told people that the year she spent in England was one of the best years of her life.

A memorial and celebration of Marilyn’s life will be held in Ely, Minnesota (timing to be determined).

Memorial contributions can be made to the Friendship Village Kalamazoo Employee Appreciation Fund, 1400 North Drake Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 or to Kalamazoo Animal Rescue (https://www.adoptapet.com/shelter/72879-kalamazoo-animal-rescue-kalamazoo-michigan).

The family would like to the thank the Friendship Village staff for their wonderful, loving care and Elara Hospice for their kindness and compassion.