Marylyn Tysdal-Wylie

Marylyn Kay Tysdal-Wylie – A life well lived.

Marylyn was born November 12, 1937 to Arthur and Ruth Dow in Belle Fourche, SD. The oldest of two siblings. She was raised in Sturgis South Dakota where she met and married Joseph Tysdal. Marylyn and Joe had 3 children, Kelli, Kalene and Edmund. In 1963 they moved the family to LaPorte Colo. They immersed their selves in this small community full of friendship and support. Marylyn was instrumental in creating the LaPorte Volunteer Fire Dept. Her mother had died in a house fire when Marylyn was only 21 years young, with two babies under the age of two. She refused to live in a community without a fire department, so dad rallied the community and the LaPorte Volunteer Fire department was formed. Marylyn organized the women's auxiliary, "LaPorte Fire Hazards", helping support the community as needed.

Marylyn had very strong family values. She always chose careers that would allow her to put family first. She opened Tiz's Beauty Salon in our home in LaPorte. Allowing her to raise her own children as well as open her doors to all the neighborhood kids. We don't ever remember a time where there weren't 1 or 2 extra kids at the house at any given time. The next chapter in Marylyn's life was volunteering as a matron at the Larimer County sheriff's office, in parallel, she obtained her real estate license. Again, jobs that allowed her to put family first. Eventually she became a full-time deputy with the sheriff's office, a career that lead her to be the first female sergeant with the Larimer County Sheriff's office; a position she maintained while selling real estate. After hanging up her badge, Marylyn sold real estate full time until she and Joe moved to Gilroy California for Joe's company. In California, Joe and Marylyn became deeply involved with the Gilroy Elks lodge. Marylyn organized and chaired several of the Elks charity events. After Joe passed away in 1996, Marylyn moved back to Fort Collins.

Marylyn made sure her kids lived a life that would fill their hearts with memories. Including neighborhood kids! She flew with 7 kids to Wichita for lunch one day because the airline had a $10 ticket promotion. Who does that? Marylyn! She was active in Girls Scouts, 4-H, and her community. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. They would spend summers with grandma and grandpa. Going on countless adventures, making memories to hold a life time.She was a Mom, Grandma, a Great Grandma, a Great, Great Grandma and Aunt Mame. The matriarch of 5 blessed generations. With each generation of grandchildren, new memories were always being made. They were her world, Marylyn often included her only nephew on these adventures.

After Joe passed away, Marylyn met Randall Wylie, they were married and lived in Ennis, Tx. While Marylyn was in Ennis, she found yet another small community that she could immerse herself in. She decided to organize the first Honor Flight for WWII veterans out of the state of Texas. She enlisted the help of friends and community. They took 32 veterans to Washington DC in 2008. She also worked with the city of Ennis to donate land and build a Veteran's Memorial Park. Marylyn, being larger than life gathered veterans, family, friends and town members to help design and build the most stunning tribute to veterans.

After Randall passed away in 2015, Marylyn continued to sell real estate with her trusty real estate dog, Molly Mae Wylie. Molly showed many a property with Marylyn.

Marylyn decided she needed to be closer to her family, so during the height of Covid in 2020, Marylyn's daughters and grandson moved her back to Fort Collins. She absolutely enjoyed being home, fully surrounded by love and family. When her son and sister passed away in 2022, 1 week apart, something died in her heart. Her grieve was overwhelming. Marylyn's Catholic faith again helped get her through some darkest hours in her life. Losing her mother, two husbands, a son and her sister.

Books could be written about the incredible life of Marylyn Kay Dow Tysdal-Wylie. Those who have had the privilege of knowing Marylyn, know that she openly loved and was easily loved. Marylyn's wit and sense of humor, and her ability to love and support made her a force to be reckoned with, in the best way possibly.

Marylyn passed away peacefully in the early hours of August 19th, 2024, her daughters and oldest grandchildren by her side. Her peaceful passing was made possible by the most incredible care givers at Poudre Valley Hospital. She touched the hearts of so many nurses and aides. As a family we were overwhelmed with the out pour of love given to mom in her final days. Marylyn's family will be forever grateful.

Marylyn was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Arleene, her husbands, Joseph and Randall, her son, Edmund and grandson, John Paul. She is survived by her daughters, Kelli (Allan), Kalene (Randal), Daughter in-law Carol (Edmund, deceased), her grandchildren, her great grandchildren and her great, great grandchildren and her only nephew Jon.

The statement "Heaven Gained An Angel Today" is clearly a testament to Marylyn. She is already deeply missed.

Rosary- September 19th, 7 p.m. Goes Funeral Care
Memorial Mass – September 20th, 10 a.m. Saint John XIII Catholic Church, Fort Collins, CO
Internment – Grandview Cemetery directly after the service
Reception/Buffet luncheon 1:00 p.m. American Legion Post 4, LaPorte CO, Hwy 287.
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