Marilyn Carlander

1941 - 2025

Marilyn Carlander

February 3, 1941 - June 23, 2025

Marilyn Jean Carlander, nee Vollrath, 84, of Moline, Ill., passed away at her home with her son by her side on Monday, June 23, 2025.

Marilyn Vollrath was born on February 3, 1941, at Moline Lutheran Hospital to Robert and Marie Vollrath. She attended Garfield, Grant & Coolidge schools and graduated from Moline High School in 1959. She graduated from Lutheran School for Nurses in 1962 and began her career as a registered nurse, working in Kensington and Alexandria, Minn. before leaving the profession to raise a family. She was married to Rev. Kent Carlander of Moorhead, Minn. in Rock Island, Ill. on August 17, 1962, and together they had three children, Todd Carlander, Molly (McDermott), and Jenny (Stoica). The family left Minnesota in 1968 and eventually settled in Logan Square on the NW side of Chicago.

Returning to school in the early 1970s, Marilyn enrolled at the University of Illinois at Chicago and became the first student to graduate with a self-designed major in Women's Studies. She graduated with BA and MA, taught at UIC and later taught Sociology at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.

Marilyn was deeply interested in human rights, peace activism, education, and community health. She loved literature, classical music, and philosophy, and was known for her intellect, dedication to her causes and professions, work ethic, and prodigious IQ. In 1989 with her family by her side, she received an award for her excellence and outstanding dedication to Women's Studies from Chicago Mayor Eugene Sawyer.

She was a legendary brain tumor survivor, and as a result of radical surgery augmented with experimental x-ray therapy at The University of Chicago in the 1980s went on to lead a healthy, productive life for almost 40 more years.

Marilyn is survived by two of her children, Todd Carlander and Jenny (John) Stoica; her grandchildren, Jarl Carlander, Emily McDermott, Kirsten McDermott, Casey (Jas) McDermott, Freja McDermott, Tyler Glenn-Carlander, Erica Stoica, and Joseph (Ivy) Stoica; and her brother, Donald Vollrath. She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved daughter, Molly Jean.

Marilyn shared creative talents learned from her parents and grandparents with her children and grandchildren, including quilting, knitting, and needlepoint. As a loving mother and grandmother, she often used these skills to create clothing and costumes for her family. Marilyn always had a deep appreciation for the many cultural opportunities available in the City of Chicago and over the years took her family to many art exhibits, concerts, and festivals. Marilyn also enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing, and crossword puzzles.

Marilyn Carlander's life while living in Chicago was filled with academic and activist endeavors. She was an avid reader, mentor and friend to many. Marilyn was instrumental in starting a women's book group which began in 1975 and is celebrating its 50th year this summer. Her career at Circle (University of Illinois at Chicago) along with the Circle Women's Alliance helped establish the Women's Studies program as an independent department where she worked for many years. Marilyn had a tenacious spirit, persevering through many challenges, including her health. She was a strong, independent woman, respected and beloved by her family and friends. She left us with many fond memories and will be greatly missed.

Condolences may be left at RaffertyFunerals.com.