Marlys F. Howard “Mya”, 89, of Merrifield, MN, devoted wife and mother, went home to be with the Lord on September 17, 2026.

 A Celebration of Life to honor Marlys will be held on Friday, October 2, at Ossipee Community Church North of Brainerd, MN starting at 10 AM. Interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Garden Cemetery in Merrifield, MN. Caring for Marlys and her family is Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd, MN. 

Marlys was a loving mom who raised three children, one of whom experienced significant disabilities all of his life. While her husband, Ron, was on the road or in the military much of the time, Marlys maintained a household and raised all of her children to love Jesus with all of their hearts. Throughout her life she was exceedingly proud of her children and grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to let everyone know how proud she was and to share what each one was up to in their lives. Marlys loved deer hunting, shooting a number of big bucks in her hunting career before giving it up when the physical demands became too much later in life. Regardless, Marlys’ three favorite activities were trading hunting stories, doing her daily Bible devotions and spoiling her “little girl” dog, Lizzy. She worked for many years heading up the funeral committee at First Baptist Church in Baxter, MN, comforting people in their time of pain and loss. Marlys was known to all as amazingly generous, preferring experiences in life rather than material things. She wanted the world to know that a personal relationship with Jesus is the only way to find true peace in life. She will be greatly missed.

 Marlys is survived by her daughter, Rhonda (Alan) Zimmerman, son Steven (Patricia) Howard, three granddaughters and many other relatives and friends. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ron Howard “Slim”, youngest son, Daniel Howard, and granddaughter, Jessica Leonard. Memorial contributions may be sent to: 

WACOSA

 Memo line: 

The Danny Howard Memorial Fund 310 Sundial Dr., PO Box 757 Waite Park, MN 56387