Marilyn Genevieve Starr

Marilyn's Memorial Service can be seen here: https://vimeo.com/673312749

Marilyn Genevieve (Sandau) (Schmidt) Starr, 84, passed away Monday, January 31, 2022, under the care of Hospice, at Bethany on University in Fargo, ND.

Marilyn Genevieve Sandau was born October 1, 1937, in Fergus Falls, MN, to Ernest Karl and Marlys Evelyn (Estrem) Sandau. She graduated from Pelican Rapids High School on June 3, 1955.
Marilyn married Robert Allen Schmidt on July 9, 1960, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN; they later divorced. She married Cameron (Cam) Leonard Starr Jr., and they later divorced.

Marilyn worked as an art teacher in Dilworth, MN, and as a graphic designer at Mathison’s. Later she worked in the family-owned and operated business of Starr Fireworks. There were many store locations across North Dakota and South Dakota, as well as a few fireworks manufacturing sites in ND. Marilyn did the graphic design work and designed all the labels for the product manufactured by Starr Fireworks. Marilyn and Cam were the hosts for the first PGI (Pyrotechnics Guild International) Convention in West Fargo, ND, in August 1993. The PGI convention is now a regular event in West Fargo, ND, since then.

Marilyn enjoyed golf, trains, painting, and decorating. She was a member of Shepherd of the Valley Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Fargo. She was one of the original members 25 years ago.

Marilyn is survived by her son, Mark (Rachel) Schmidt, Kindred, ND, and daughter, Laura Schmidt, Vergas, MN; grandsons, Matthew Schmidt, Active-Duty Air Force currently stationed in Spokane, WA, and Andrew (Megan) Schmidt, West Fargo, ND; sisters, Carol (Dick) Ames, Bemidji, MN, and Anne Christopherson, Sioux Falls, SD; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her former spouses, Robert Schmidt and Cameron Starr Jr.; son, Thomas Schmidt; parents, Marlys and Ernest Sandau and sister, Ruth Elaine Sweatt; Brother in law Gerry Christopherson.