Marlys Marie Jasperson

Marlys Jasperson, age 82, of Coon Rapids died on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Epiphany Senior Living in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. A Memorial Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Faith Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Following a reception for attendees, her urn will be placed in the Columbarium at Faith Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to her celebration, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, also at the church.

Marlys Marie Jasperson was born on August 31, 1942, in Minot, North Dakota. She was one of 7 children born to Edith (Quist) and Thomas Thomsen. Marlys grew up in New Prague, Minnesota. She graduated from New Prague High School with the class of 1960.

Marlys never backed down from a challenge. Ever tenacious and brilliant, she double majored in mathematics and physics at MSU - a feat she achieved in just 3 years, graduating in 1963. Fifty years later, her legacy of feminine scientific passion inspired all three of her granddaughters to pursue careers in STEM.

Marlys married in 1964. She and her husband raised their 3 children in the Minneapolis area.

Marlys loved children and devoted her life to helping young minds learn. She began this devotion with her own kids and later taught Sunday School at Faith Lutheran Church. She worked for over 25 years as a teacher and long-term substitute teacher in Anoka-Hennepin school district, Anoka-Ramsey Community College and surrounding schools.

Her enjoyments in life included sewing, singing, quilting, crafting, cooking, making mints for special occasions, baking, puzzles, scrapbooking, gardening and bowling at her parent’s bowling alley in New Prague. She was always on the lookout for the next DIY project. Whether it was to sell it at the ShareFest at Faith Lutheran Church, or as a gift, or just because she enjoyed the project.

Marlys was very strong in her faith in God and she was a devoted member of Faith Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids, always active in the choir and later in the Voices of Impact Choir. Marlys was a member of the Befrienders program at church where she helped people who shared a cancer battle. She was involved in several bible studies when she lived in her Blaine townhome, prior to moving to assisted living.

Marlys died peacefully on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. She reached the age of 82 years, 7 months, and 18 days. Blessed be her memory.

She is survived by her son, Jeff (and Hyon) Jasperson of Coon Rapids, daughter, Jennifer (and Steve) VanKeulen of Marshall; son, Jason (and Jennifer) of Forest Lake; grandchildren, Michelle Huver (and Cory) of Ham Lake, Veronica Lee (and Marcus) of Andover, Blake VanKeulen (and Ashley) of Marshall, Rachel Miller (and Joe) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Aden Jasperson of Forest Lake, and Mason Jasperson of Forest Lake; 6 great-grandchildren, Emma, Oliver, Sophia, Henry, Simon and Bodhi.

Siblings, Thomas (and Sandy) Thomsen of Prior Lake, Janice Willman of Eagan, Kenneth (and Carol) Thomsen of Bloomington, Carol Jean Broadbent of Yankton, South Dakota; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many long-time friends from her community.

Marlys was preceded in death by her parents; Thomas Peter Thomsen and Edith Magdaline Quist; and 2 siblings, Shirley Walla (Bob), Bernard Thomsen (Yvonne).

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Faith Lutheran Church in memory of Marlys Marie Jasperson.