Marrilynn Joyce Ann Lehman Sawatzky, 88, Two Inlets, MN passed away Tuesday, February 13, 2023, at her home.  Her Memorial Mass will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.  Please visit Marrilynn's online memorial page at www.bentonfh.com to send a card or leave a message of condolence for her family.

Marrilynn was born March 4, 1934, in Faith, SD to Jennings "Jack" and Lulia Mae (Teller) Thomas.  She attended St. Frances Roman Catholic High School in Little Falls, MN and graduated in 1952.  She moved to Minneapolis where she worked as a secretary.  In 1954 she married Paul Lehman, Jr. in Faith, SD.  They bought a Coast-to-Coast hardware store and moved to Fort Benton, MT in 1959 where they raised their family. Paul passed away in 1990.  On June 19, 2004, she was united in marriage to Robert Sawatzky in Two Inlets.

Marrilynn was an artist.  She enjoyed painting, woodworking, and embroidery.  She opened a ceramics studio in the basement of her house where she molded and fired ceramics and offered lessons in ceramics.  Marrilynn also taught porcelain doll making and tole painting.  She enjoyed golfing and flower and vegetable gardening.  From 1994 to 2000, Marrilynn and her sister, Darlene, owned and operated a Bed and Breakfast in Deadwood, SD.  She then moved to Park Rapids, MN.

Marrilynn was preceded in death by her first husband, Paul Lehman, Jr; parents, Jack and Lulia Thomas; brothers, Bernard and (Sonny) Gerald; sisters, Eldora Wattenhofer and Darlene Fees; daughter-in-law, Diane Lehman; and son-in-law, Warren Keuffel.

Marrilynn is survived by her husband, Robert Sawatzky of Park Rapids; daughters, Penny Rossetter of Park Rapids, Lori Keuffel of Anacortes, WA, Jill (Jim) Bedwell of Plentywood, MT, and Andy (Dave) Lehman of Orchard Park, NY; sons, Ed (Ronnie) Lehman of Helena, MT, Mike (Gayle) Lehman of Fort Benton, MT,  and Tom Lehman of Flagstaff, AZ; step-son, Loren Sawatzky of Wadena, MN; grandchildren, Rick, Tim, Jamie, Charlie, Tyler, Dustin, Kjersti, Megan, Dani, Ben, Stephanie, Todd, Chester, Libby, and Tori; many nieces and nephews; and great grandchildren: Claire, Braydee, Peyton, Mikel, Piper, Hunter, Ramona, Vaidee, Aubree, Keenan, Celeste, Rhoda, Alfie, and Owen.