In loving memory of
Marlys E. Ingvoldstad

• February 16, 1922
• -
• September 24, 2012

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Marlys Ingvoldstad, 90, of Oviedo FL, passed away on September 24, 2012 at Florida Hospital South in Orlando, FL.   Born February 16, 1924 to Emma and Ole Ormseth, Marlys was the youngest of 9 children in the Ormseth homestead near Luverne, Minnesota.  Her father arrived from Norway by boat, and became a successful farmer.  Her mother Emma personified the strong Norwegian spirit of the plains. Marlys was a child of the great depression, an unspoiled and grounded student of music.  She graduated from Luverne High School in 1939.   She continued her education at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, where she was a cheerleader and voted Homecoming Queen in 1943.  She was an accomplished soprano, even forming her own singing trio.  Approached by Lawrence Welk to become a part of his traveling production, she declined so that she could finish her last year at Augustana.  Upon graduating in 1944, Marlys moved to Minneapolis, working as an airline stewardess for a short time, and also as a personal trainer at the downtown Minneapolis YMCA.    Catching the eye of a dashing young Navy pilot, Stephen Philip Ingvoldstad was attending Luther Theological Seminary at St. Olaf College, about to become ordained as a Lutheran minister.  After a two-year engagement, they married in Luverne MN on December 16, 1950.    Husband Stephen became a chaplain in the Air Force, and the young couple moved from the plains of the Midwest to the deserts of southern Arizona to Yuma AFB. They loved their new lifestyle there, and welcomed their first son, Mark Stephen, in 1952.   Becoming a Lutheran minister, Chaplain Ingvoldstad answered a call in 1953 from Christ Lutheran Church in De Forest WI.  Marlys immediately became active in the church and the community, participating in the Sunday choir for many years, singing solo soprano for weddings and funerals.  Music was a big part of her life, her love of which she passed on to her four boys.  She served as a much loved, long-term substitute teacher in the De Forest Public Schools. This is where her funny and good-natured spirit shone brightly.  Marlys was adored by students and faculty alike.  They loved her infectious laugh, sense of humor and vibrant personality. She bravely endured many father and son activities, among them Cub Scout Den Mother and she also assisted in the preparation of numerous lutefisk suppers and venison dinners.    In 1978, Marlys became a Medical Information Analyst with Blue Cross Blue Shield in Milwaukee. She was in groundbreaking new technology, working with the early mainframe databases and computer networks.  Although in a new field of work, Marlys’ determination, smarts and enthusiasm helped her become very successful in this new chapter of her life.    Preceded in death by her beloved husband Steve in 1991, she relocated to Oviedo, FL in 1994.  Enjoying year round gardening and sunshine, she was reinvigorated with her new life. Marlys was warmly embraced by those around her in the new St. Luke’s Lutheran Church family, her neighbors and friends. At the corner grocery store she was recognized, and it was a good day if you bumped into Marlys.  She was well liked by her medical team of doctors and nurses that her family thanks for enabling Marlys’ good health for a number of extra years. How lucky we are to have had her for so long.   She so looked forward to seasonal visits of friends and relatives, and especially Sunday Green Bay Packer games.  Thanksgiving and Christmas will never be the same without her there.   As we lovingly and grudgingly let go, and acknowledge her passing, we must pay testament to her indomitable spirit, her strength of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and love for her extended family, both present and those who have passed.  We have all benefited from her loving nature, the infectious joy of her stories and funny good-natured Norwegian spirit, which affected us all.  She showed us how to leave this world bravely and courageously, while enduring much.  She stoically reacted to each recent medical setback with “Sa ga det,” she would say in Norwegian.  “So it goes.”  She embraced the life she was given.  She lived it full on, showing us how.  And we hope to say goodbye like she would want.  We love you Marlys.   Preceded in death by husband Steve in 1991 and son Rolf in 2004; brothers Orlando, Robert, Ernest, and Arnold; sisters Martha, Agnes, Effie, Gladys and Helen.  Grieved by sons Mark (Nancy), Kirk (Karen), and Leif; grandsons Hans, Justin, Stephen and Nicolas.   Funeral service will be held 3pm Sunday September 30, 2012 at St. Lukes Lutheran Church Oviedo, FL.  Correspondence can be sent to Marlys’ home at 140 Bluebrook Ct., Oviedo, FL  32766   Funeral service will be held 3pm Sunday September 30, 2012 at St. Lukes Lutheran Church Oviedo, FL.