Funeral services for Marlys Elaine Harig, 79, of Emmons will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, at the Church of St. Theodore. The Rev. James Berning will officiate. Interment will be at Mansfield Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Marlys died Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009, at Albert Lea Medical Center.
Marlys Elaine Harig was born on June 23, 1930, to Chester and Alpha (Thorson) Braund. Marlys grew up in Freeborn County and attended rural grade schools district No. 48 and No. 121. She graduated from Kiester High School. On May 19, 1951, Marlys was united in marriage to Robert Harig in Blue Earth. The couple lived on the same farm for 51 years. Marlys was a devoted housewife and mother. She was well known for her talent as a baker, decorating many wedding cakes through the years. Marlys was a member of the Church of St. Theodore in Albert Lea. She was also a member of the Eagles Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary. Marlys enjoyed being the historian for the Thorson -Brue Reunions for the past 8 years and also worked with her relative, Brigadier General Richard I. Braund researching records, gathering information and photos and compiling biographical accounts of decendants of George, Hanns and Mary Ann Braund, back in Devonshire, England in the early 1600’s. Marlys enjoyed her phone conversations with her niece Pamela Harig of Isaquah, Wash., who faithfully called her several times each week, it was a great source of support.
Survivors include her husband, Robert; children: Lonnie (Lynda) Harig of Emmons, Mark (Trudy) Harig of Albert Lea, Robin (Glaydon) Grunhovd of Lake Mills, Iowa, Bradley (Gayle) Harig of Emmons and Gary (Donna) Harig of Lake Mills, Iowa; grandchildren: Randy Harig, Janelle (Loren) Sorenson, and Chad Harig, Michelle (Jason) Kluender, Jessica Selvidge, Elizabeth, Sarah, Matthew and Merrick Harig, and Jacqueline (Josh) Imler; great-grandchildren: Sierra Selvidge, Samuel Harig, Maraya Harig, Brennan and Katelyn Kluender, Josiah Selvidge and Delaney Imler; brothers: Vernon (Bonita) Braund of Walters, and Keith (Alice) Braund of Kiester; sisters: Jean (Wayne) Ellertson of Charles City, Iowa, and Lynn (John) Wirkkala of Westminster, Colo.; special friends: Donna Penny of Walters and Patricia (Gries) Hanson of Mankato; many nieces and nephews.
Marlys was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Kristi Geralyn Harig in 1980; sister, LaVonne Oldfather; nephew and Godchild, Randy Braund; and nephew, Vern Braund.