Obituary of Marillyn C. Persch

Marillyn C. Persch, 95, of Superior, died peacefully of natural causes March 15, 2018 at home hospice in South Range. She was born Marillyn Betty Jane Callahan May 13, 1922 in Duluth to Arthur and Mae (Neander) Callahan. Her mother died when she was 11 and she was raised by her maternal aunt and uncle, Ethel and Martin Brown. Marillyn graduated from Duluth Central in 1940 and later the Duluth Business University (DBU). She held several secretarial positions in the Los Angeles area and Duluth before starting at the DM&IR Railroad in the old Wolvin Building, retiring after nearly 30 years in 1988 as the Executive Secretary to the President and General Manager. Marillyn married Alfred Persch in 1972 and they had a wonderful marriage for 45 years. After they both retired they traveled extensively throughout the Midwest, often returning home with a load of antiques. They purchased a home on the St. Louis River in Duluth in the early 1990's where Marillyn finally had the room to really expand her gardens and she was very active in various Duluth gardening clubs and was a Master Gardener herself. Marillyn was very involved over the years with the National Association of Railway Business Women, attending many national conventions and being honored for her service. She was also a driving force in the creation of the China Car exhibit at the Lake Superior Railroad museum and was tireless in obtaining china from various railroads nationwide and in setting up and finishing the entire project. Both Al and Marillyn loved to entertain and her elegant parties will be remembered by all who attended. Marillyn was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and was lucky enough to see her new great-grandson several times in her last months. Marillyn was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Alfred Persch of Superior; son, Dana (Marlene) Bach of South Range; grand-daughters, Julia Bach of Madison and Melissa Bach (Robert Phalen) of Chicago; great-grandson Christopher Francis Phalen; brother, Jack Callahan of Menahga MN; and step-daughter Holly (Dave) Persch Berneker of Long Beach CA. The family would like to thank St. Lukes Home Hospice for the help and care they gave Marillyn in her last five weeks. In lieu of gifts, please send donations in Marillyn's name to the Duluth Garden Flower Society or the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. Gathering of family and friends from 2 p.m. until the 3 p.m. memorial service Thursday, Mar. 29th in the Cremation Society of Minnesota Chapel, 4100 Grand Ave., Duluth.