Obituary of Marilyn J Andler

81, of Duluth, MN passed away on July 9, 2022 in her home surrounded by family following a 3-year battle with cancer.

She was born on August 10, 1940 to Richard & Margaret Pyle and grew up in the Fairmont neighborhood of West Duluth. A 1958 graduate of Duluth Denfeld, Marilyn proudly completed her education with the Carey Gaspard Business School and soon after landed a job with a local bank.

She married Jerry Andler on July 14, 1961. Together they raised their two children in Piedmont Heights. She loved living in Piedmont and felt there was no better place in Duluth. She held numerous jobs, including as a secretary for Equifax and ending her working years at the Piedmont Milk House where she enjoyed getting to know the people in the neighborhood and teaching her young coworkers a good work ethic while having fun. Marilyn had a green thumb and took pride in her garden, especially her peonies. She spent many years singing lead in the Sweet Adelines and North Shore Sounds Barbershop choirs where she made many lifelong friends. Marilyn also enjoyed lunches with the girls from school, having coffee with friends, and playing cards. Marilyn loved spending time at the cabin where she seemed to have no limit in her abilities, from swimming across the lake to learning how to water ski. She enjoyed many evenings around the campfire singing and dancing with her good friends Kathy & Allan Jones, Roberta & Eddie Mudek, and Karen & OJ Olson.

The cabin is also where she took her grandchildren on many adventures in the golf cart. She taught them how to pick agates, berries, and identify all the birds. On rainy days she would play Old Maid with them and determine who got to sleep with grandma that evening. As her grandchildren grew, she would proudly attend as many of their activities as she could, always being their biggest fan. 

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, baby girl Andler (Patti’s identical twin), infant granddaughter Alexandra Andler, and brother Robert Pyle. She is survived by her husband Jerry of 60 years, son Michael (Kristine) Andler, daughter Patti (Joel) Anderson, grandchildren, Payton Anderson, Taylor Anderson, Jerry Andler, and Adisyn Anderson. Brother, Richard (Noreen) Pyle, sister Muriel (Tim) VanWave, sister-in-law Joy Pyle, as well as many extended family members, nieces, nephews and special friends.

A note to Dr. Vera, Thank you for your care and giving her the chance to live out the last 3 years. She would want you to enjoy a good beverage and time with your dog. Cheers to a job well done.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, July 25th from 4-7pm (short service at 5pm) at the Buffalo House Junction.

“We have to celebrate life. All of it. Even the end.”