Marion A Sustad

Marion Sustad died peacefully in her sleep Sunday morning, November 16th, 2025 at the age of 99. She is survived by her eldest son Mark, daughter-in-law Lynn Garibaldi, her seven loving grandchildren, their spouses, and many great-grandchildren.

Marion Ann Torell was born April 9th, 1926, in Pomeroy, Iowa, to Ben and Judy Torell. Marion was the youngest sibling to older sister Marjorie and brother Robert. Marion graduated from high school in 1943 in Omaha, Nebraska. She went on to college at North Park University in Chicago, Illinois, where she met her sweetheart and forever best friend, Orville Sustad. They were engaged and married in 1950 at the First Covenant Church of Omaha.

While serving in ministry with Orville in Gary, IN, son Mark Charles Sustad was born in July, 1952. The small family moved for Orville's new pastorate in Northridge, CA where son Kevin was born in June of 1956. The family dog Monie was acquired and beloved for 14 years. Marion and Orville served the Covenant church next in Sioux City, IA, Arvada, CO, and then San Jose, CA. Upon Orville's retirement, the couple moved back to Arvada, CO where they enjoyed time with their seven grandchildren and spent winters in Arizona.

Marion and Orville loved to camp and travel. They had great memories of camping across the country when their boys were young and used their camper trailer to enjoy retirement camping in Loveland and Estes Park, CO. The Torell family reunion brought together Marion and her siblings families for big special reunions in Colorado from 1989-2012.

Marion was a church secretary, family historian, gifted writer, and a talented pianist. On her last day of life, she spent the afternoon playing for a service and enjoyed dinner with friends. During her decades at Covenant Living of Colorado, Marion held prayer meetings, Rummikub games, and many conversations around her dining room table with dear friends.

Marion was a positive, present, and supportive grandma who loved and blessed her grandchildren with Swedish traditions, Biblical blessings, smiles, hugs, and piano sings in her living room. They all loved the yummy syrup cookies and peanut butter squares that filled her cookie tin as well as the Swedish potato sausage, creamy potatoes, Cram and Pepper Kauka. She taught them all Dominos, took them swimming, camping, showed up at weddings, and held great grandbabies, the eldest of which is now 19.

A memorial service will be held at the Smith Chapel at Covenant Living of Colorado on Monday December 22nd, 2025 at 10am. The family requests gifts be sent to World Vision in lieu of flowers.