Obit: Van Dam, Marlys June #2 (1930? - 2012)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Van Dam, Ugdahl, Samstad, Carlson, Anderson-Bauer

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/12/2012

Van Dam, Marlys June (1930? - 9 December 2012)

Marlys J. Van Dam, 82, of Neillsville died Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, at the Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Marlys June Van Dam was born in Minneapolis, MN, the daughter of Neil and Alma (Ugdahl) Samstad. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1948. She traveled to Denver where she stayed for six months and eventually ended up in California. She met Kenneth Van Dam in Los Angeles in 1952. Ken was serving his country in the military and was sent to Korea. When he got back, they were united in marriage Jan. 16, 1954, in Minneapolis. They moved to the Milwaukee and Madison areas while Ken attended school. His jobs took them to Gays Mills for two years and then to Edgerton for three years. Marlys was busy raising their three children. In August of 1962 they moved to Neillsville, and in 1969 Marlys started a career with Memorial Medical Center, working her way up to department head of medical records. She retired in 1987. Ken and Marlys enjoyed traveling and saw most of the United States during the summers. Marlys was known for her handmade Christmas stockings, and she was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church.

Marlys is survived by her husband, Kenneth; their three children, Steve (Shirley) Van Dam of Cornell, Susan (Steve) Carlson of White Bear Lake, MN, and Sally Van Dam of Marshfield; and seven grandchildren, Jennifer, Jason (Kelly), Jared, Sara, Erik, Andrew and Emily.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A Memorial service will be held for Marlys at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Pastor Judith Anderson-Bauer will officiate. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday at the Calvary Lutheran Church. Inurnment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Calvary Lutheran Church Building Fund, 213 Hill St., Neillsville, WI 54456.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. 

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Marlys’ family with funeral arrangements.