Marilyn J. Sand, 84, of Grand Forks, ND passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Senior Living Center in Larimore, ND.

Marilyn Joy Zimmerman was born on November 11, 1939, in Lehighton, PA, the daughter of Charles and Thelma (Dunkelberger) Zimmerman.  Marilyn was raised in Lehighton and graduated from Lehighton High School. Following high school, she was employed as a telephone operator in Philadelphia, PA.  While there, she met her future husband, Doran Sand.  Doran and Marilyn were married on November 8, 1958, in Philadelphia.  After Doran's discharge from the United States Navy, they moved to Cando, ND.  Marilyn was a stay-at-home mom, raising their five children. In 1973, the family moved to Grand Forks and Marilyn was employed as a cook at Lake Agassiz School and Winship School.

Marilyn loved to crochet and knit.  She created many afghans that brought joy to her family and friends.  She also enjoyed gardening with her husband and spent many hours canning.  She loved attending University of North Dakota sporting events, especially hockey and football.  She enjoyed socializing while working at these events.

Marilyn loved dancing the jitterbug with Doran.  Most of all, she loved spending time with her family.  She enjoyed festively decorating for the holidays and her family traditions.  She loved attending the events of her children and grandchildren.  She was a longtime member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Grand Forks.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Doreen Homuth, Brian (Rhonda) Sand, Greg (Mary) Sand, and Barb (Greg) Murphy, all of Grand Forks, ND; her grandchildren,  Lauren Homuth, Lacey (Jason) Schuler, Melissa (Trevor) Lennon, Sarah (Michael) Storandt, Molly (Tony) Sand Eichten, Audrey Sand, Zachary Murphy and Jacob Murphy; 7 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Shirley Zimmerman; many loving nieces and nephews and  a step-grandson, Chad (Alyssa) Boese.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Doran; her son, Thomas Sand; her granddaughter, Jaclyn Sand; her parents, and her brother, Donald Zimmerman.

In lieu of flowers and memorials, please contribute to the St. Michaels Catholic Church Sanctuary Fund, 418 North 6th Street Grand Forks, ND 58203.

Funeral Liturgy: 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 30, 2024, in The Historic Norman Funeral Home Chapel.
Visitation: One hour prior to the liturgy in the funeral home on Thursday.
Burial: Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.