Marilyn Lee Wolf, 88, of Kalispell passed away May 30, 2020 at Immanuel Lutheran Communities The Retreat.

Marilyn was born Sept. 3, 1931, in Wellington, Kansas, to Paul and Hazel Bacon of South Haven, Kansas. As a small girl she enjoyed tap dancing and play time exploring the nearby wooded creek. One tap-dancing recital in particular included tap-dancing on the top of a drum. She also survived a tornado in the basement of the family home, which was destroyed. She was active in the Christian Church, South Haven, including playing the piano for church service, weddings and funerals. She graduated from South Haven High School in 1947.

In 1953, she married Carl Adam Wolf and they farmed near Geuda Springs, Kansas. Marilyn and Carl had four children, Merritt, Stan, Tiena and Lee. On camping trips to Colorado the family developed a fondness of more mountainous regions and the family moved to Kalispell in the summer of 1964. In 1966, they bought a farm east of Kalispell where they remained until the passing of her husband, Carl. In 1974, she moved to Spokane where she resided for several years, later returning to Kalispell in the early 1980s. Among other jobs, she spent considerable time as a nanny for families with small children and as a caretaker for the elderly, both in the Flathead Valley and Seattle area.

She enjoyed gardening, tending her flowers and spending time with family and friends, including telling how “it used to be.” She enjoyed riding along on her children’s and grandchildren’s drives around the Flathead Valley and into Glacier Park, sometimes playing the role of tour guide or going on short hikes in the park; and not afraid of some adventure while doing so. Family and friends are sure to remember her as independent and strong-willed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl, and granddaughter Jessica Wolf.

She is survived by her sister, Myrna Lauterbach; children, Merritt (Valerie) Wolf, Stan (Gina) Wolf, Tiena (Jon) Anderson and Lee (Sydney) Wolf; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled at 1 p.m. June 19 at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Private interment will be at Glacier Memorial Cemetery.

Friends are encouraged to visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.