Marlys Claudette Rabb

Marlys Claudette (Spangenberg) Rabb

Marlys Claudette (Spangenberg) Rabb, 87, of Aurora, Minn., passed away peacefully in Duluth, Minn., on December 15, 2025.

Marlys was born in Trommald, Minn., on June 19, 1938 to Raymond and Adeline (Amundson) Spangenberg. She graduated from Aurora High School in 1956 and subsequently worked as a secretary at Boase Elementary School and in the clerical department at the Erie Mining Company in Hoyt Lakes. She married Ernest "Steve" Rabb on August 10, 1957 in Biwabik, Minn.

Marlys was a dedicated homemaker who, along with her husband Steve, raised their four children- Patty (Kirby) Mirau, Steve Rabb, Jeff Rabb, and Kristine Rabb. She was enthusiastic about travel, enjoying the many trips the family made throughout the USA and Canada in their motorhome. Marlys and Steve also traveled extensively through Europe, making annual visits to the Netherlands. Marlys faithfully prepared the parish bulletin for many years and was an active member of the All Slav Club, the Slovenian Women's Union and the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. She enjoyed taking long walks with her neighbor, was an avid reader of fiction, and loved solving puzzles and anything to do with numbers. All those who knew Marlys appreciated her kindness and generosity, friendly demeanor, and uplifting sense of humor.

She will be greatly missed by her children, her brothers Kevin Spangenberg and Mark (Natalia) Spangenberg, and her in-laws Theresa (Dave) McGauley, Larry (Shirley) Potocnik, Bob (Carol) Potocnik, and Barbara (Allen) Kalar as well as by her grandchildren Garrett (Cali) Mirau, Jacob (Jordan Young) Zabrocki, and Gabrielle (Tyler) Kieffer and great-grandchildren, Edwin and Emerson Mirau and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Marlys was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law Mike and Marion (Simonich/Rabb) Potocnik, husband Ernest "Steve" Rabb and grandson Tyler Mirau; her siblings Richard Spangenberg, Janice (Jim) Field, and infant siblings Albert and Pamela Spangenberg; and in-laws Joan (Richard) Domanoski and Dr. James Potocnik, DDS.

There will be a visitation held on Thursday, January 1, 2026, from 1-3 p.m. at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora, with recitation of the Rosary at 2:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, Aurora, with Father Beau Braun as celebrant with visitation beginning one hour prior to the funeral Mass.

Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home, Aurora, (218) 229-3160. Please sign the online guestbook at www.zmsfuneralhome.com.