Marilyn Burgeson

Marilyn Ruth Burgeson, 76, of Grandview, WA, passed away on Monday, May 12th at Prosser Memorial Hospital. Marilyn was born in Grand Forks, ND, on June 19th, 1937, to John and Lulu Ruddy. Her parents had six siblings after her: Carmen, Thomas, Rita, Peggy, Susan and Jackie. She graduated from high school in Grand Forks in 1955 and then went on to being only one of two women in her class studying accounting at the University of North Dakota. In 1959, to escape the cold winters she moved to Seattle, WA and there she met her husband, Dale Burgeson. They were married in Bellevue, WA on April 27th, 1962. She was proud of her job in accounting for Boeing before they moved and had their two daughters, Cynthia and Cheryl. Marilyn and Dale eventually settled in Grandview, WA, in 1971, where they raised their daughters. Marilyn enjoyed her work for Taggares Farms and especially for Blehyl’s Farm Service where she worked in accounting for 18 years before she retired. She was very involved in Bethany Presbyterian Church with Bible Study Groups, Seekers, Youth Groups and Nouvella Club. She loved nothing more than having lunch with her best friends and sharing stories about her family and her travels. Her happiest moments were the births of her three grandsons; Nicholas, Spencer, and Charlie. She loved reading with them, playing with them and rubbing their backs. Marilyn’s kindness, warm heart, and feisty spirit will be missed by all those who knew her. She is survived by her husband Dale; daughter Cynthia and Chip Lydum of Bellevue, WA; and daughter Cheryl and Todd Cain of Bainbridge Island, WA. Grandsons; Nicholas Lydum (11) of Bellevue, WA; Spencer Cain (8) of Bainbridge Island, WA; and Charlie Lydum (7) of Bellevue, WA. Brother; Thomas Ruddy of Panama City Beach, FL., Sisters; Carmen Jorgenson of Port Hueneme, CA; Rita Kirwan of Grand Forks, ND; Peggy Kiel of Grand Forks, ND; Susan Melville of St. Paul, MN; and Jackie Fichtner of Grand Forks, ND. She is preceded in death by her parents John and Lulu Ruddy. A memorial service will be held Friday, May 16th at 4 pm at the Bethany Community Church in Grandview. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethany Community Church at 201 Birch Avenue, Grandview, WA, 98930. Valley Hills Funeral Home in Sunnyside is in care of all arrangements. Condolences can be sent to www.valleyhillsfh.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marilyn Burgeson, please visit our flower store.