A Mass of Christian Burial for Marilyn Fest, age 90, of Heron Lake, will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 16th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Heron Lake. Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Heron Lake.

A visitation for Marilyn will be held on Thursday, January 15th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Heron Lake. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday, January 16th for one hour prior to the funeral mass.

Marilyn Agnes (Hartman) Fest was born on March 28, 1935, to Fredo and Mathilda (Hebbelman) Hartman on the family farm of 12 children. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. Kilian Catholic Church in Wilmont Township, Nobles County, Minnesota. Marilyn attended St. Kilian Parochial School through the eighth grade and graduated from Worthington High School.

Marilyn reminisced about her childhood, including stories of her brothers being taken to school by horse and buggy, and the time the horses ran away. She recalled that a neighbor drove her to Wilmont each day so she could meet the school bus to Worthington. After graduating, Marilyn's mother drove her to work at the Forbes Law Office and Don Miller Accounting. She later lived in an apartment in Worthington with four friends.

On May 21, 1960, Marilyn was united in marriage to William "Bill" Fest at St. Kilian Catholic Church. They were blessed with four sons: Kelly, Paul, Mark, and Tom. Following their marriage, Marilyn and Bill farmed together on the Fest family farm. Marilyn was a gentle soul who devoted herself to caring for her mother, her sons, and later her grandchildren.

Marilyn loved angels, birds, and flowers, and was well-known for preparing delicious food, especially desserts. She took great pride and joy in tending her flower and vegetable gardens, delighting in planting new varieties each year. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren always knew there would be candy and marshmallows waiting for them at Grandma's house. Marilyn cherished the time spent with her grandchildren.

Marilyn generously shared her gifts and talents by being a 4-H club leader and teaching CCD classes. She served as secretary of the Heron Lake Legion Auxiliary and volunteered to read with HL-O elementary students throughout her grandchildren's school years. Marilyn enjoyed visiting with friends over coffee and rolls after Sacred Heart Mass, attending performances at Memorial Auditorium and the Okoboji Summer Theatre, and socializing with the neighborhood "Happy Hour Ladies" club.

She bowled for many years in Heron Lake and Lakefield, enjoyed water aerobics and golfing, and especially treasured the fellowship with friends. Marilyn loved traveling with Bill and friends to destinations across the United States. Naval reunions took them to many exciting places, creating memories she cherished.

Marilyn entered hospice care in December 2025 following health challenges. She passed peacefully into eternal rest on Tuesday, January 6, at her home in Heron Lake, surrounded by the love and care of her family.

Left to cherish Marilyn's kind and loving nature are her son, Mark (Lisa) Fest of Heron Lake; grandchildren, Aaron (Madeline) Fest and Magnolia and Wilhelmina of Harrisburg, SD, Isaac (Kailey) Fest and Reagan of Worthington; Abigail (Aron) Hulstein of Fulda, Eli (Kenadie) Fest and baby on the way of Brandon, SD, Anna Fest of Minneapolis, and Lydia Fest of Heron Lake; son, Thomas Fest; and numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William Fest; sons, Paul Fest and Kelly Fest; and her brothers and sisters.

Blessed be the memory of Marilyn Fest, a faithful child of God.