Marlys Klyve

Marlys T. (Fennell) Klyve passed on December 7, 2022 at Swift County Benson Hospital at the age of 90. Marlys was born February 21, 1932 on the family farm east of Clontarf, Minnesota in Clontarf Township. She was the youngest of six children born to Thomas and Lillian (Longman) Fennell. As a young girl the family moved to a farm west of Clontarf. She attended country school at Clontarf Township. The family moved to Benson when Marlys was a teenager and she attended Benson High School, graduating in 1950. After high school, Marlys attended Miller Hospital School of Nursing in St. Paul, MN. Returning to Benson, she worked at a doctor’s office. She was married to Melvin Klyve on November 22, 1952 at St. Francis Church in Benson. The couple just celebrated their 70 ^th wedding anniversary. This Union had two sons. In addition to working at the doctor’s office, she worked as a bookkeeper for Rooney Ford. She says she spent her weekends patching holes in blue jeans for two busy boys. She purchased JoJean Fashions in Benson in 1969 and operated the ladies fashion store for many years. After retirement she worked part time driving the special needs bus for the Benson School District. Marlys was a volunteer driver for the church transporting others to doctor appointments and for grocery shopping when they could not drive. She enjoyed sewing, reading, baking, and cooking. Her favorite items were Christmas cookies and party appetizers. Holidays at the Klyve home always had a counter full of tasty treats. She was the welcomed Christmas cookie baker at many nurse’s stations. She would deliver goodie trays to clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and elderly shut-ins that she visited through the church. She enjoyed summer weekends at their cabin on Lake Minnewaska and the many trips with friends that included New Orleans, Las Vegas, Europe, California, Alaska, Washington, an ocean cruise, and particularly loved the northeast states in the fall.

She was preceded in the death by her parents Thomas and Lillian Fennell; her siblings and their spouses, Muriel (Lyle) Rosetter; Lowell (Mary Walsh) Fennell; Ward (JoAnn Gilronan) Fennell; Mary (Robert) Ryan; an infant sister; and daughter-in-law Deb (Daniels) Klyve.

She is survived by her husband Melvin, son Bill Klyve, his family Dominic (Allyson) Klyve of Ellensburg, WA, children Liam and Emery; Danika (Matt) Peterson of Blaine, MN, daughter Sloan; Chris (Dawn) Daniels, daughters Emily and Alison; Brad (Marie) Daniels, sons Dan, Logan, and Gage; son Tom (Joyce Mahler) Klyve, their family Michael (Sarah Myhre) Klyve of Cloquet, MN, daughters Eleanor and Greta; Elizabeth (Kyle) Waterman of Bemidji, MN, daughter Taylor; and 22 nieces and nephews.

Mass of the Christian burial will be Friday, January 6, 2023 at St. Francis Church in Benson, MN. Visitation will be at 10:00am and funeral at 11:00.