Marilyn E. Breipohl

April 10, 1935, Marilyn E. Breipohl was born in Havre, Mont., and was adopted by William and Bertha McKinley. She attended school in Havre and graduated in 1953. She worked at several jobs in Havre – an attorney's office, Buttreys as a bookkeeper, Meadow Gold Creamery, Sleeping Buffalo bookkeeper, and organist at the Lutheran Church for 60 years. Robert and Marilyn attended the annual State Soil Conservation Association Conventions where she would assist in registration and always had a joke and giggle for all. They met people from all across Montana. Her favorite job was being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She met her husband in a snowball fight on the streets of Havre, where he was attending college. After Robert joined the Army, they continued to date and married on May 25, 1958, in Havre. They moved to the Breipohl farm in Saco, Mont., in 1958. Robert built their home while they lived with his parents. Over the next 65 years, they raised five children – Sheryl Burnham, Grady (Teresa) Breipohl, Joel (Lori) Breipohl, Cristina (Travis) Leib, and Bill Breipohl. She actively supported the lives of 14 grandchildren, Alex Burnham and Tori Leikam, Carson, Trent, and Nick Breipohl, Jonah Breipohl, Seth Hulett, Brenna Ramberg, Rachel and Grace Burns, Mariya, Micayla, Will, and Cadence Breipohl. She also delighted in her six great-grandchildren, Taylor and Mason, Taytum and Dixie, Addy and Ryan. She was able to attend the high school graduations of all but three of her grandchildren – that was due to COVID.

Marilyn was an extremely talented quilter. Her quilts were purple ribbon winners at the fair and drew compliments from all. She taught classes and loved to host the Sew & Sew Club. Her yard and garden were her pride and joy. She and Bob tended the roses, vegetable garden, and the beautiful crab apple trees she guarded from pruning. She shared her talents by leading 4-H and teaching adult education classes. She learned to cook after she and Bob married – at first only her brother-in-law would eat her cooking. Eventually, she became an excellent cook due to the input of her greatest critics. Today she has many people who are good cooks due to her guidance. She always added a secret ingredient (Love). The family would sit down to one of her delicious meals, begin eating, and she'd say, "Boy it sure got quiet."

Grandma was the master of 20 Questions. She called everyone on their birthdays and sang "Happy Birthday." She was always ready to talk on the phone and keep everyone in the loop. She was the hub of a very large extended family and had a huge circle of friends. At the age of 82, she met her biological family – sister Peggy Workman and brother Frank Speyer. She was delighted to finally know her heritage and to meet another loving, welcoming large family.

Marilyn lived a very full, healthy life and never had any medical issues which was a blessing until her last two weeks. She was able to have wonderful visits with her children and grandchildren before she went to meet her birth mother and have a tall glass of iced water and a good chat with God on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. She will be missed by many.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Robert P. Breipohl; her children and grandchildren; sister Peggy Workman; brother Frank (Jean) Speyer; sisters-in-law Patty Breipohl and Donna Korman; numerous nieces and nephews and her fur friends, Burt and Tuff.

Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 1, at the Saco Lutheran Church with Pastor Doris Tollefson officiating with burial in Grandview Cemetery to follow. A luncheon will follow back at the Lutheran Church.

Condolences for the family may be left at bellmortuarymontana.com.