Marilyn L. Litt

Marilyn Lois Litt was born June 29, 1941 in Mandan, North Dakota to Nels and Dora (Hagerott) Porsborg. She graduated from Jamestown high school in 1959 and then received a teaching degree from Jamestown College. She taught briefly in Ypsilanti and Cleveland, North Dakota.

In 1961, Marilyn married Gary Litt in Jamestown, North Dakota; they had been sweethearts since sophomores in high school. They later moved to Denver and then Seattle where Marilyn worked while Gary earned advanced degrees. In 1969 they moved to Moorhead, Minnesota where Marilyn was able to stay at home and raise their two children, Rachael (Litt) Shelstad and Timothy Litt. She later went on to become a tax preparer and to teach ESL.

Marilyn and Gary became world travelers with 20 trips to Europe, especially loving France, Italy, and Greece. They spent many months over the years in Paris, the city of love. They also ventured to Turkey, China, and Morocco. They were lovers of jazz and did 7 trips in a row on jazz cruises in the Caribbean. They started by wintering in Texas and California. What then attracted them to Venice, Florida for the next 14 years was the fine jazz scene there and in nearby Sarasota.

Marilyn loved people, and they were devoted to her. She delighted in entertaining her family and friends and was a marvelous cook and baker. She specialized in cookies, bars, and other fabulous desserts. One of Marilyn's many love languages was making favorite goodies for those she cared for. She was fond of gourmet food, fine wine, thoughtful conversations, and dear friends. They called her “Magic Marilyn” because she was a genius at solving problems and “Saint Marilyn” because of the ethereal way she managed her life, her relationships, and difficult situations. She inspired others by how she lived with such poise, grace, and dignity.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Gary Litt; two children, Rachael Litt Shelstad (husband Eric) and Timothy Litt (wife Lisa) of Fergus Falls, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Brittanni Smith, Katie Shelstad, Truan Litt, Aaron Shelstad, and Caden Litt; four great grandchildren, Zaire, Zaylen, Nyzaiah, and Lennon, and many dear nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Nels Porsborg; her mother, Dora (Hagerott) Porsborg; her three brothers, Kenneth, Lawrence, and Myron Porsborg; her sister, Helen Tracy—she was the last of the clan.

There will be a celebration of life this spring or summer when the sun shines bright like her love and essence.

We ask that at this time we would prefer no flowers. Marilyn loved flowers and we would appreciate them at her future celebration of life.