Marilyn Underhill

life story

Brought loving happiness and laughter

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."

-Mother Teresa

About Marilyn

Marilyn Underhill was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She left the world she loved to explore on July 5, 2021 at the age of 86.

She was born to Robert and Vietta Toner on August 31, 1934. After graduating from North High School, she joined the Saint Paul Priory, and began her teaching career with 1st graders at Saint Bernard. She went on to graduate from Saint Catherine University with her nursing degree, and accepted a job in Winsted, MN. There Marilyn met her first husband, Jerome Zetah, while working at the local hospital. She received her Master’s Degree from the University of Iowa, and went on to work at the Owatonna hospital. She later accepted a teaching job at Mankato State University. Together, they raised Julianne, Michael, and Jon.

Marilyn’s next journey brought her to Miami University Oxford, Ohio and Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA, where she continued her career in education. While there, she met and married John Underhill in 1992. She became stepmother to Ben, Cristina, and Zachary. She ended her nursing career doing home health care in San Diego. In retirement, John and Marilyn continued writing their life story together traveling from state to state, settling in California, Montana, Minnesota, and then California again.

Marilyn loved adding the musical beat to life and danced to it whenever she could. She often invited family, friends, and strangers to join her in the dance of life. Her dance steps and spins took her to Lake Superior’s North Woods, to the shorelines of any ocean, to the warmth of the Mexican land and people, and to the solitude of the Anza Borrego desert.

memorial service

Funeral Mass Service

July 28, 2021

Church of St. Timothy 707 89th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55434, USA

Funeral mass at 11:00 am and visitation will be held after the service at Kay & Kathy Toner's home.

7598 Alden Way NE

Fridley, MN 55432

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services