Marlys Ironheart

November 25, 2020

Marlys Joyce Ironheart was born on December 19, 1947, to Herbert and Bessie Ironheart in Pipestone, Minnesota. She grew up in Granite Falls and attended school there. She also attended Southwest State University. Marlys worked at R & D Sales in Montevideo as an inventory manager. She then took a job as a CHR for the Upper Sioux Community and went on to become a teacher’s aide at Bert Raney Elementary School in Granite Falls. Her last career was at the Firefly Creek Casino where she worked hard and eventually became a floor manager before retiring. Marlys enjoyed reading, watching movies and the Minnesota Vikings. She loved her family, being blessed with one daughter and one grandson, she cherished the times spent with them and also the extended family. Though the years as the family suffered losses, Marlys was the one who would organize gatherings to bring everyone together, becoming the matriarch. Marlys survived a massive stroke on November 17, 2015, and she needed more help and became a resident at Granite Falls Care Center. It was here that she passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at the age of 72 years, 11 months and 6 days. Blessed be her memory. Marlys is survived by her daughter, April Ironheart of Granite Falls; grandson, Dakota Ironheart of Granite Falls; nieces and nephews, LaDonna (special friend, Josh Swanson) Ironheart, Herbert Howell Sr., Rhoda (Luis) Rodriguez Sr., Sharon Odegard, Rita (Rick) Stebbing, Roseanne (David) Bartunek, Matt Housman, Renetta (Jonathan) Goeson, Sheila Ironheart, Lisa (David) Stennes, Nathan (special friend, Kathy Barber) Smith; as well as other relatives and friends. Marlys is preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Bessie Ironheart; siblings, Catherine Ironheart, Alvin Ironheart, Irene Howell, Velma Ironheart, Lillian Ironheart, Dwight Ironheart, Ronald Ironheart, Marie Ironheart, Vivian Ironheart; nephews, Alvin Howell, Don Howell Jr., Michael Smith, Rodney Ironheart; niece, Carol Jean Howell.