Marlys Bass, 87, Owatonna

Marlys Bass, age 87, of Owatonna, passed away Friday, July 15, 2022 at Traditions II in Owatonna, with her family by her side. Marlys was born Jan. 14, 1935 at home in Grafton township, Sibley County near Buffalo Lake, the daughter of Ervin and LaVonne (Bryan) Leske. Marlys attended Buffalo Lake High School and graduated in 1952. Marlys worked at the Johnson Hardware Company in Hector, where she met her future husband, Lee. On May 12, 1957, she married Lee Emerson Bass at Evangelical United Brethren Church in Buffalo Lake. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Milroy, Pemberton, and rural Ellendale before settling in Hope. It was here they raised their five children. Marlys started doing daycare when her youngest child started kindergarten and continued for over 20 years. She also started working for Fair Lanes Bowling in the fall of 1976 and retired from South Park Bowling in 2010. Marlys was a member of the United Methodist Church of Ellendale. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, baking, and attending her children and grandkids sporting events. Many people hired her to make Christmas goodies for them. She always made cut-out cookies for each holiday/occasion and would make up individual trays for each grandchild. She always looked forward to the annual Hope Garage Sale where she spent days baking assorted goods to sell. Marlys is survived by four daughters: Kerry (Brian) Bice of Owatonna; Kayla (John) Pfeifer of Milwaukie, Ore.; Kristy (Charlie) Karsten of Owatonna; and Kim (Sal) Bass of Brooklyn Park. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Marlys is also survived by one brother: Darrel (Ann) Leske and sister-in-law Genevie Leske all of Buffalo Lake; sisters-in-law JoAnn Bartlett of Scotland, S.D. and Mary (Gary) Drever of Red Wood Falls, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Lee; son Kevin; and brother Marlo Leske. Funeral memorial services were held Monday, July 18, 2022 at 1 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Ellendale with Rev. Randy Cirksena officiating. Interment was at Berlin Township Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Alzheimer's or to the donor's choice.