Marlys June Van Dam

Marlys J. Van Dam, age 82, of Neillsville, WI died on Sunday, December 9, 2012 at the Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation Center.Marlys June Van Dam was born in Minneapolis, MN the daughter of Neil and Alma (Ugdahl) Samstad. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1948. She traveled to Denver where she stayed for 6 months and eventually ended up in California. She met Kenneth Van Dam in Los Angeles in 1952. Ken was serving our country in the military and was sent to Korea. When he got back they were united in marriage on Jan 16, 1954 in Minneapolis. They moved to the Milwaukee and Madison areas while Ken attended school. His jobs took them to Gays Mills, WI for 2 years and then to Edgerton, WI for 3 years. Marlys was busy raising their 3 children. In August of 1962 they moved to Neillsville and in 1969 Marlys started a career with Memorial Medical Center, working her way up to Department Head of Medical Records. She retired in 1987. Ken and Marlys enjoyed traveling and saw most of the United States during the summers. Marlys was known for her handmade Christmas Stockings and she was a member of the Calvary Lutheran Church.Marlys is survived by her husband, Kenneth, and their 3 children; Steve (Shirley) Van Dam of Cornell, WI, Susan (Steve) Carlson of White Bear Lake, MN and Sally Van Dam of Marshfield, WI and 7 Grandchildren; Jennifer, Jason (Kelly), Jared, Sara, Erik, Andrew and Emily.She was preceded in death by her parents.A Memorial Service will be held for Marlys at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 14, 2012 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Pastor Judith Anderson-Bauer will officiate. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, December 13, 2012 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Friday at the Calvary Lutheran Church. Inurnment will be in Neillsville City Cemetery.In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Calvary Lutheran Church Building Fund, 213 Hill St., Neillsville, WI 54456.Funeral Home:Gesche Funeral Home4 South Grand AvenueNeillsville, WIUS 54456