Service Information
Marilyn Messner, age 81, of Gibbon, passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at the New Ulm Medical Center in New Ulm.
Private Immediate Family Only Funeral Service will be at the Dalin-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Winthrop with interment in the Winthrop Cemetery.
Obituary
Marilyn Margaret Messner was born on July 11, 1938, in New Ulm, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Helmut and Margaret (Olson) Kreft. Marilyn received her education at country school. She was a lifelong resident of Gibbon.
Marilyn married David Halvorson and this marriage was blessed with six children. They owned and operated a restaurant with David in Gibbon.
On January 5, 1979, Marilyn was united in marriage to Billy Messner in Gibbon. She was a loving wife, mother, and homemaker. Marilyn was baptized on May 17, 1981, in the Apostolic Christian Church in Winthrop. Marilyn and Bill shared 41 years of marriage.
Marilyn attended the Apostolic Christian Church in Winthrop and taught Sunday school.
Marilyn enjoyed gardening, trucking with Bill, arts and crafts with Sunday school and spending time with her family especially her grandchildren.
Marilyn passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at the New Ulm Medical Center in New Ulm at the age of 81 years. Blessed be her memory.
Marilyn is survived by her:
Husband, Billy Messner of Gibbon, MN;
Children, Jeff (Tina) Halvorson and their children, Jessica, Brittany and family,
Brad Halvorson and his children, Brandon and family,
Greg (Brenda) Halvorson and their children, Jennifer, Jade, Chance and family,
Kevin (Tanya) Halvorson and their children, Jed, Jenny, Kimberly and family;
Bill’s Children, Rick (Brenda) Messner and their child, Tyler,
Shelly Knobloch and her children, Trevor and Brittany, and
Troy Messner;
Grandchildren, Joshua, Jake, Molly and family (Debra Halvorson’s children);
Great grandchildren, Shylo Hilbert, Brooklyn Gutknecht, Jackson Messner, Noah Messner, Collin Lofthus;
Sister, Karen (John) Sommers;
Brother, Douglas Kreft;
Sisters-in-law, DonnaBelle Nelson, Marcelle Dapper, Barbara Mattes, Carol Ann Messner;
Many Great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her Parents, Helmut and Margaret Kreft; Infant Son, Timmy Halvorson; Daughter, Debbie Halvorson; Brother, Dennis Kreft, Grandson, Timmy Halvorson, and Brother-in-law, Dennis Messner.
Sandy Reinking says
Dear Billy and Halverson Boy’s,
May the good Lord place his comforting arms around you all. Your wife/mom will be missed dearly.
Laura (Lori) (Freyholtz) Federspiel says
Sending my heartfelt sympathy and big Montana hugs to each of you. I have so many great memories of your Mom and all of you. So sorry for your loss.
Diane Dietz says
My sincere sympathy at the loss of Marilyn. Will miss her. Prayers for healing. Strange times when can talk to family. Love
JoAnn Kolbaske says
My Sympathy, thoughts, and prayers to all of Marilyn’s family.
Mike says
Jeff and family sorry to hear about the loss of your mom she was a very nice lady
William Freyholtz says
Dear Billy,
Jeff, Brad, Greg, Kevin,
May I please offer my deepest sympathies on the passing of your wife and mother.
A most bright candle, that shone with much generosity, kindness and love has gone out, and in our world the light has grown dimmer because of it.
Marilyn was so very special. In conversations, she always would be so attentive to you, and mindful of what you had to say. She generously shared her life, humor, optimism and empathy with everyone she loved, and met.
As great as her absence is now to us, as great will be her presence in heaven.
Most sincerely,
Bill Freyholtz
Jim Haala says
Bill: my condolences to you and to Marilyn’s sons.
I was baptized, ten years ago, in an Independent Baptist Church.
Anthony S Dandurand says
It was one of the highlights of my life – to meet Marilyn and Bill – at Dennis Kreft’s cabin in Orr. Though I knew her but a little, that little was a lot. Rest in peace, my dear Aunt.
Lindsey Engebretson says
I met Marilyn around 20 years ago, when I went to a place called Gibbon with my best friend Molly (Marilyn’s Granddaughter). She was kind and always made you feel like what you spoke with her about was really important. Staying with her felt like a blast to the past, where things were simpler and just… peaceful. She had a duck named Peepers that used to chase me and scare me to death. She would just yell at Peepers to get back here (as I was running halfway down the road). My grandparents died when I was young, and Marilyn told me to just call her Grandma. Which I did. I’ve thought about her often over the last several years and was saddened to hear she had passed. My condolences to the entire family, grandma Marilyn will always hold a special place in my heart.