Marion E. Kodelka

Marion E. Kodelka, age 99, of Prior Lake, MN, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 28, 2024. 

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024, at 12:00 PM, with a time of gathering two hours prior, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake, MN. Pastor Diana Hunstad will preside. Marion will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. 

Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in her memory by the family. 

On the family farm in Stanton Township, MN, Marion Emily was born on August 16, 1925, to John and Cora (Felien) McKinley. The youngest of four, she grew up learning the core value of the importance of being surrounded by family, especially having grown up during the depression years. Marion attended a country school through the Eighth Grade, before completing her high school education in 1943, at Cannon Falls High School. 

Her adult adventures began by moving to the St. Paul, MN area. Here, Marion accepted employment at Lampert Yards, as a bookkeeper, where she worked over the next decades. Life for her was enriched by meeting Richard John Kodelka. They started courting and on December 3, 1947, Marion and Richard married in St. Paul, MN. The pair moved into Richard’s parents’ home, where they also welcomed two sons, Richard and Robert. 

Life for the Kodelka’s was always simple. Marion relished raising her two sons, while working part-time at Lamperts. The family always looked forward to the annual summer vacation at a cabin in Wisconsin. Eventually, Marion and Richard moved to Roseville, MN, making it easier for her to attend the Minnesota State Fair. Marion felt most content being at home with her family. As the years went on, she welcomed grandchildren and great grandchildren. Marion proudly wore these honors. She loved watching the Minnesota Twins, playing Chinese checkers and other games with family and friends. Marion enjoyed cooking and you were always welcome at her table. 

After the passing of her husband Richard on August 31, 2007, Marion ultimately moved to McKenna Crossing in Prior Lake. For the last 16 years, she has created many friendships with the residents and staff. Marion and her family are forever grateful for the care, compassion and love she received. 

Marion will forever remain in the hearts that loved her the most, sons, Richard (Nancy) Kodelka, Robert (Gail) Kodelka; grandchildren, Ricky Kodelka, Katie (Ryan) Svenby, Michael (Heidi) Kodelka, Matthew Kodelka; great grandchildren, James, Jack, Jolie, Thomas; other relatives and friends

Greeting Marion home in Heaven is her husband, Richard; parents, John and Cora; siblings, Howard (Luella) McKinley, Ethel (Glen) McKinley, and Art (Dorothea) McKinley.

The family would also like to thank the staff at McKenna Crossing who cared for Marion. 

Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation proudly served and cared for the Kodelka family.