Marlys Joy Ahmann, 72, St. Cloud

April 13, 1943 - January 31, 2016

Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 5, 2016 at Salem Lutheran Church in St. Cloud for Marlys Joy (Vavricka) Ahmann who passed away peacefully surrounded with family. Her sisters sang loving songs that reminded her of her husband Elmer and the relationship she had with her sisters. They softly laughed at their inability to sing on key or remember the words accurately but they were honored and gifted to share her final moments in a happy and heartfelt place as she passed on January 31st, 2016. Friends and relatives may call after 12:00 p.m. until the time of services on Friday at Salem Lutheran Church. Please join the family for a time to reflect and share stories of love and laughter regarding Marlys.

Marlys was born on April 13th, 1943 in St. Cloud and lived a full life until passing. She graduated high school from St Cloud Technical High school and immediately attended Nurses training in Brainerd, MN. She met her husband Elmer C. Ahmann (deceased 8-8-2013) while they were both out separately with friends at a local dance club. The two were married, November 21st, 1964.

Children, Kimberly and Andrew were born from that marriage and were the center of her world. Her love and guidance as a Mother will remain in their hearts forever. Throughout her life she enjoyed being with family and friends and any activity that involved her Children. Marlys enjoyed caring for others and was generous to a fault, often shorting herself so that others in her family would have what was needed. She enjoyed fishing with Elmer and the kids but was often teased that getting ready for an outing was more time consuming than the outing itself and in that she earned the loving nickname of “Flash” from Elmer. In true “Flash” fashion she spent much of her time with meticulous attention paid to any and all activities she aspired to complete. She truly earned her nickname in her final hours as she said she was “leaving” at 11:00 but finally came to rest 2 hours later at 12:58a.m. those who knew her best will have a smile as they remember her being forever 2 hours late. Her loving and selfless acts of kindness and generosity will be remembered by all.

Marlys was preceded in death by her husband Elmer, 78, her parents Andrew and Constance (Anderson) Vavricka and 1 brother Paul Vavricka. Marlys is survived by her children Kimberly and Andrew, 4 grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter and 2 great grandsons. Also surviving 4 sisters and 1 brother, many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Her career as a Nurse brought such joy and pride to her and it shined through even past her early retirement. Marlys had a sense of dedication and love that she passed on to her children that helped them to be raised to share her giving nature. Her family is indebted to Quiet Oaks Hospice Home for being a place of comfort in her final days and for emulating the type of care that she provided to others.