Marilyn Bader

Maple Grove, Minn.

Marilyn Marie Bader left this world on April 25, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by family and love during her final moments.

Marilyn was born in Portland, Oregon on June 12, 1944 but raised in Douglas, North Dakota, and stories of her childhood paint a picture of fortitude on the family’s farm where she was shaped by hard work, resilience and a deep sense of responsibility. Her career path was evident during these early years; when the snow got high enough on the farm her siblings would build their snow forts as houses and she would build hers as a hospital.

Throughout her life she embraced a passion for learning and a steadfast determination that contributed to her successful career in healthcare. She began her professional life as a nurse after completing a four-year bachelor’s degree at the University of North Dakota when most nurses entered the field through shorter training programs. In 1966 she joined Trinity Healthcare in Minot, North Dakota, working on the surgical floor, and later became a member of the Trinity School of Nursing faculty. Returning back to the UND in 1986, Marilyn earned her graduate degree in Healthcare Quality Assurance and as a natural leader, she was instrumental in developing Trinity’s first quality program. After 40 years of dedicated service Marilyn retired from Trinity in 2006 as a senior vice president.

But her most cherished role was as a wife, mother and grandmother. She married Gary Bader in 1966, and they welcomed three children, Mike, Mark and Becky, while building their life in Minot, North Dakota. Being together as a family brought her tremendous joy and some of our most cherished memories include summer weekends at Lake Sakakawea and countless holidays. She would spend weeks thoughtfully planning menus in anticipation, taking great care to make every gathering special.

She was known for her strong and loving nature and as a result, there wasn’t a bigger fan in the stands at her children and grand- children’s sporting events or a more passionate supporter of everything they pursued from academics to their personal passions including all the moments in between.

Marilyn is survived by her husband of 60 years, Gary, her children, Mike (Lesa), Mark (Janna), Becky (Larry) and her grandchildren, Alec (Kelli), Isaac (Rebecca), Ursula, Charlie, Harrison and Alice, her great-grandchildren, Ryan and Catie, her siblings Fran Bierle and Jerry Miller.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father Gladys and Neal Miller.

Marilyn’s service will be held at 11:00 with visitation at 10:00 on Friday, May 1 at the Cross Winds United Methodist Church in Maple Grove, MN 55311.

A livestream will be available at www.crosswindslife.org.

www.kozlakradulovich.com

“A Celebration of Life”

763-416-0016

Published by The Minot Daily News, April 30, 2026.