Marian Jean Wojtalewicz

Marian Jean Wojtalewicz, 78, passed away Friday, October 11, 2024, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley at Oak Crossing, Detroit Lakes, MN.

Marian was born June 18, 1946, in Morris, MN, to Joseph and Mabel (Aanrud) Holdgrafer. She grew up in Donnelly, MN and graduated from Morris High School in 1964. She moved to Minneapolis, MN for a short time but then moved back home where she would meet the love of her life, Allen Wojtalewicz, at the Donnelly roller skating rink. They were united in marriage at the Donnelly Catholic Church on May 22, 1965, and they cherished each other deeply for nearly 60 years.

Marian worked as a telephone operator with Northwestern Bell and its successor companies. She worked for 20 years before taking 10 years off to stay at home and raise their three sons. She returned to work at the phone company for another 10 years before retiring in 2008.

 Marian and Allen made their home in Moorhead for 45 years where they raised their three children. After retirement they built their home on Strawberry Lake near Detroit Lakes. Marian moved to Oak Crossing in Detroit Lakes in December 2020, where she enjoyed exceptional care and made lasting impressions on the faculty and staff. We want to give a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Oak Crossing for their loving, compassionate care of Marian.

Marian’s greatest pride and joy was her children and grandchildren. She loved spending time with family at the lake, reading and traveling. Many special memories were made with trips to Disney World, Niagara Falls, Branson, the Grand Canyon, Puerta Vallarta, and numerous trips to visit family in Texas. Marian and Allen loved the fall colors and would take annual trips to Itasca State Park to drive through the fall foliage. She had a heart of gold, a kind spirit and endured hardships without ever complaining. Everyone who knew her will miss her beautiful smile, contagious giggles and knack for brightening everyone’s day. 

Marian is survived by her husband, Allen, of Strawberry Lake, MN; sons, Mark (Leeann), Mandan, ND, Greg, Moorhead, and Matthew (Allyson), Humble, TX; grandchildren, Ryan Wojtalewicz, Michelle (Steve) Kaufman, Cody (Chelsey) Smith, Justin Wojtalewicz, Brett Wojtalewicz, Abigail Maxwell and Nicholas Wojtalewicz, and great-grandchildren, Celik, Ruby and Clyde. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Dorothy (Albert) Buchal and Winifred (William) Marth. 

The funeral service will be Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 11:00 A.M., with visitation for one hour before the service, at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. A graveside service will be Friday, October 18, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. at Lakeside Cemetery, Herman, MN.