Marilyn Kolda

Marilyn M. Kolda, 73, of Watertown and formerly of Miller, passed away Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Avantara Watertown.

Memorial Mass will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 17, 2024, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Miller, with Father Paul Josten, celebrant. Burial will be at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller. 

Marilyn Mae Droz was born on May 9, 1950, to Charles and Fern Droz. She was the oldest of 6 children and grew up on a farm south of Miller with her parents and siblings. She attended Miller High School and was in a variety of activities, including Future Homemakers of America, Pep Club, Musical Theater, Chorus, the school newspaper “Hoofbeats”, the school yearbook, Future Teachers of America, and Future Nurses of America.

After high school graduation, Marilyn married and moved to Kent, WA for a brief time. They then moved to Wessington, and from this union, she was blessed with her two daughters, Michelle "Shelley" and Jennifer. She later moved to Polo, remarried, and was blessed with a son, Christopher. Marilyn cherished and adored her three children; she made it her life mission to be a full-time mom and caregiver until Chris graduated high school. She then moved to Miller, where she worked several jobs in the Miller area. Growing up in the 60s, Marilyn was a pillar of her family. Being the oldest of six children, Marilyn was known for her dependability in her family. She and some of her younger siblings stayed in town during the school week and went back to the farm on weekends.  When in town, she took on the responsibility of watching over her siblings. This prepared her well for her own children. She always said her children were the light of her life, and she seldom missed anything that her children or grandchildren were a part of. She was their biggest supporter. Her family was her sole focus, up until her last days, and we will be forever blessed by her love.

She enjoyed volunteering at church and school functions. She was known for making homemade decorated birthday cakes, making her girls’ prom dresses, remembering the birthdays of friends and family with a card, taking in people in their time of need, and keeping an immaculately clean house, which she decorated for every season and holiday. Marilyn loved to dance, read, go on motorcycle rides, and travel. Her beautiful smile will always be etched in our memories.  Not a day went by that Marilyn wasn’t boasting about her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

She is survived by her children: Michelle “Shelley” Knippling of Watertown, Jennifer (Craig) Doschadis of St. Cloud, MN, and Chris Kolda of Tulare; grandchildren: Jordan (Kylie) and Cody Knippling, Madelyn, Jonathan, Andrew, and Nicholas Doschadis, and Kirbee, Kord, and Kamp Kolda; great-grandchildren, Makenna and Easton Knippling; her father, Charles Droz of Miller; her sisters: Cathi Droz of MN, Marcia Droz of AZ; and Janelle Droz of FL; brother, Kent Droz of WA; and sister-in-law, Shelley Droz of WA. She also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

She was preceded in death by her mother, Fern Droz; and her brother, Eric Droz.

The family appreciates your support during this difficult time. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Marilyn's arrangements.