Marillyn Mahlen

Marillyn Mahlen peacefully left this earth on January 7th 2023 in Spokane, Washington. 

She was born October 30th1935 to Marguerite and Howard Hamm in St Paul, MN. This is where she met  her husband, Chuck Mahlen. They were married in Iowa on December 31st 1951. She spent the next 21  years raising 5 children while following her husband in his communications career. They lived in  California, Wisconsin, Alaska, and Washington. In 1962, she took her first flight overseas with all five of her children, aged 2 months to 9 years old. Chuck left before them to find housing for the family. Over the  next 10 years, they spent time in Italy, Greece, Belgium, and Iran.  

They made it back and settled in Danbury, WI in 1972. They owned and operated Charlies Lazy Bar until  1974. Later they moved to Virginia and finally settled in Fairbanks, AK where they spent the next 37  years. She retired from her career as an office manager for Tundra Tours in 1992, when her husband was  appointed Commissioner of Labor. They spent four years in Juneau, then returned to Fairbanks. 

Marillyn liked to spend her time accompanying her husband on camping, fishing and hunting trips,  where her children and grandchildren would often join. She always enjoyed the long Alaskan summer  days and would spend lots of those days gardening. She always loved having the whole family get  together. She also tried to attend every sporting event that each one of her grandchildren participated  in. In 2011, Marillyn and Chuck moved to Spokane, WA. 

Marillyn was preceded in death by her sisters, Marge Peden and Myrtle Karon and her husband of 61  years, Chuck Mahlen.  

She is survived by her 5 children, Chuck (wife Deb), Debbie (husband George Kimmell), Craig (wife  Karen), Linda, and Sheri (husband Steve Winnie). She has 9 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. 

There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, June 24th 2023 at 12pm at the American Legion Post 11 on 1st Avenue.

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