Marquette, MI - Marilyn Irene Sumner, age 91, passed away on November 11, 2016 at Mill Creek Assisted Living Facility.

She was born on August 10, 1925 in Ishpeming, Michigan to Albert and Edla (Danielson) Magnuson. Marilyn graduated from National Mine High School in National Mine, Michigan in 1943. Following graduation, her working career began at the H.W. Gossard Company factory in Ishpeming.

Marilyn married William (Bill) Sumner on November 21, 1952 and they began their life together in Richmond, Michigan. Marilyn worked as an administrative assistant for the Mount Clemens Community Schools High School Guidance department retiring on August 17, 1973.

Following their retirement, the couple moved to Palmetto, Florida where they enjoyed the Florida Gulf Coast and visits with friends and family and began to split their time between their Florida home in the winter and their camp in Ely Township, Michigan in the summer. Following Bill's death in 1988, Marilyn continued to travel between Florida and the Upper Peninsula each year.

Marilyn enjoyed travel, participating in many cruises, and she delighted in visits to the casinos in the southern states, in Michigan and her many trips to Las Vegas. She also loved entertaining guests both in Florida and at camp. She enjoyed cooking and baking to make sure that everyone who visited was well fed. She also loved a good game of cards. Marilyn was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Richmond, Michigan and a summertime visitor to Bethany Lutheran Church in Negaunee.

Marilyn is survived by sister-in-law Joan Magnuson of Ishpeming; nieces - Linda (David) Turri of Negaunee; Barbara (Ross) Carlson of Ishpeming; Carol (Charles) Durfee of St. Clair; Beth (the late Brad) Robinson of St. Clair; Shelley (Mark) Pilger of Tampa, Florida; and Lisa (Russell) Terror of Phoenix, Arizona; nephews - David(Kathy) Magnuson of Ishpeming; Steven (Sally) Magnuson of National Mine; Keith (Ellen Talbacka) Magnuson of Ishpeming; Dale (Patti Samar) Hemmila of Port Huron; Kevin (Suzanne) Hemmila of Negaunee; Roy (Debbie) Sumner of Parsons, Tennessee; and many cousins, grandnieces, grandnephews and great-grandnephews and great-grandnieces, all of whom knew her as a very extraordinary woman who was interested in their lives and activities. She was always happy to be in their company and for her family it was always wonderful to spend time with "Aunt Marilyn."

She is also survived by her long-time companion, Walter Western of Palmetto, Florida, with whom she enjoyed entertaining experiences and enjoyable travel for many years, and special friends Dora Ainsworth and Gene and Nancy Kaijala of Palmetto, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her husband William Sumner; stepson Billy Sumner; parents Albert and Edla Magnuson; sister, J. Lorraine Hemmila; brother, Leonard Magnuson; nephew Gary Magnuson; brother-in-law Robert Hemmila; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Don and Doris Sumner; and sister -in-law and brother-in-law Vonda and Bill Boughner.

The family adds a special thanks to U.P. Home Health and Hospice and the staff at Mill Creek Assisted Living for their kind and considerate care during the past two years.

Funeral services will take place on Monday, November 14, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Bethany Lutheran Church in Negaunee with the Reverend Warren Geier officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends beginning at 1:00 pm until the time of the service. A luncheon will follow the service in the church fellowship h all.

Interment will be in the East Berlin Cemetery in Berville, Michigan.

Memorials can be directed to Bethany Lutheran Church, 550 Cherry St., Negaunee, MI 49866 or U.P. Home Health and Hospice, 1125 West Ridge St., Marquette, MI 49855.

Marilyn's obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .