Marilyn "Sue"

Marilyn F Bydalek (Sue), 87, of Duluth, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at the BeeHive Homes of Duluth. She was born on October 15, 1937 in West Branch, MI to parents Russell and Gertrude Schubert. Officially and professionally known as Marilyn, her father called her his “little Susie Q” at birth, cementing the nickname she was called by family and friends throughout her life. She loved telling that story when folks were trying to figure out how Sue could possibly be a nickname for Marilyn.

Sue grew up in the small town of West Branch, spending time in her dad’s grocery store and enjoying visits to her grandparent’s dairy farm. At age four, she so wanted to go to school that she followed her older brother Dean to kindergarten. After a few days of sending her home, and her returning the next day, the teacher gave up and let her stay. This began her lifelong love of learning and education.

She grew up during the depression and while they didn’t have much, they always had food because of the grocery store and the farm. She would sometimes be sent to the neighbors to give food to those who didn’t have any. The town had a lovely creek flowing through it and she spent time wandering along its banks fishing and searching for frogs as children do. As a young girl she worked at the grocery store and before long she was delivering groceries. She also drove the milk truck delivering milk throughout the town and surrounding area. After graduating high school, she attended St. Thomas Aquinas college in Grand Rapids, MI to study mathematics. It’s there that she met a chemistry teaching assistant by the name of Thomas J Bydalek.

She married Tom on August 24, 1957 and they lived in Indiana and Wisconsin before moving to Duluth in 1965 when Tom started his job as a chemistry professor at UMD. They had four children Thomas M Bydalek (Kristine Fitch), Ann M Busche (Bob), Elizabeth A Hamilton (Brad) and Catherine J Hutchings (Mark). Sue was very proud to be a mother to her children. She was able to stay home with them, nurturing them, and supporting their many interests with lots of life lessons and laughter along the way. She was a good cook and many good meals and recipes are remembered to this day. She was also able to nurture strong friendships with her neighbors. They would sometimes gather on nice summer afternoons and share a glass of wine and the news of the neighborhood. When her youngest started kindergarten, she returned to college and completed a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She enjoyed many years working as an accountant at UMD until her retirement in 1995.

Sue had a practical wisdom and gentle humor that brought her great enjoyment of life. She enjoyed spending time at the cabin, happy to be outdoors, read a good book, or watch Tom fishing from his canoe. She loved to soak up a sunny day in her garden. Starting from those earliest days following her brother to school, she walked most every day of her life. Whether she was going to work or the store, or to spend time with friends, she always preferred a good walk. In later years, she took great joy watching new families and their dogs stroll along the Drive in front of her house, happy they could appreciate this beautiful setting as much as she did.

She traveled extensively with both her husband Tom and close friends; biking through the Netherlands, walking on the Great Wall of China, exploring on an African safari, doing yoga on a beach in Mexico, and visiting Belize, Guatemala, Japan, Hawaii, Italy, and Cuba. She often remarked on the value she found in experiencing other cultures, and the wonderful people she met through each of these trips.

She was an active member of many bridge and Mahjong groups, as well as book clubs. The annual book club trip up the Gunflint Trail was a treasured favorite. She continued her pursuit of learning through the University for Seniors program, enjoying many classes and serving on their board. She stayed active by taking yoga, Tai Chi, and walking up and down the hills of Duluth well into her 80’s. Truly a life well lived and loved.

She is preceded in death by her husband who died in 2012, her parents, her brother R Dean (Shirley) Schubert, her sister Shirley (Gerald) Rau, and nephew Timothy Rau.

She is survived by her brother Ronald (Nancy) Schubert, her children, her grandchildren David (Jackie) and Lianna Bydalek, Christopher (Barbara) Harwood, Anne, Laura (Jared), and Sarah Hamilton, William and Graeme Hutchings, great grandchildren, Emmalynne and Liam Harwood, and Jennavieve, Luke and Erik Bydalek, her niece and godchild, Julie Rau, and many other nieces and nephews. She is also survived by treasured friends who joined her in a glass of wine, a walk, some travels, or a good game of bridge.

The family would like to thank Ecumen Lakeshore, the BeeHive Homes of Duluth, and Gentiva Hospice for the amazing and compassionate care that she received. 

According to Sue’s wishes, a private family celebration of life will occur this summer. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Chester Bowl Improvement Club’s “Growing Up Chester” campaign.