Marilee Birdsell

Marilee Ellen Birdsell, age 64, of Pequot Lakes died after a courageous battle with cancer on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at her home with her family by her side in Pequot Lakes. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Marilee was born July 1, 1955 in the elevator at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Brainerd to Edward and Irene (Anderson) Collins. She went to school in Long Prairie and continued her education at St. Cloud Community and Technical College in St. Cloud. Marilee married Ron Birdsell on March 6, 1972 in South Dakota. She worked as an LPN at St. Benedict’s Senior Community and Veteran’s Administration Medical Center both in St. Cloud for over 40 years. Marilee enjoyed drag racing as a NHRA driver, fishing, flowers, baking, sewing, camping, snowmobiling, and her pets. Above all else Marilee’s family always came first. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Marilee is survived by her husband of 48 years, Ron; sons, Jon (Dena), Justin; grandchildren, Gaven and Sam; siblings, Jim (Joy) Collins, Pat Sjolund, Mark (Mary) Collins, Rob (Mary Kay) Collins, Renee Collins; four-legged son and daughter, Jack and Jaden.  She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sharon (Myron) Holmes; brother-in-law, Doug Sjolund.