Marlene Ruud, age 83, Twin Valley, MN, died Saturday, October 21, 2017 in Twin Valley from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Marlene Rae Sargent was born October 19, 1934 at home in Ada, MN to Maurice and Mildred Sargent. She was the second of four daughters. She has lived in the Ada, Borup, Babbitt/Aurora, and Twin Valley areas.

She married Edgar Russell Ruud on October 20, 1951. They moved to the Iron Range area, and lived in Babbitt and Aurora, MN in 1954. In 1959, they moved back to the Twin Valley area, where they made their home on their 80-acre farm for 29 years. In 1988, they moved into their home in town in Twin Valley.

Marlene worked as a secretary at the Wild Rice Church Parish for many years. She then went to work as a receptionist for Doctor G. Thomas Nelson, D.C., for twelve years. Marlene later became a dietary aide at the Twin Valley Living Center, in which she retired from in 1998.

In 1996, Marlene started the gospel-singing group of six ladies from the Zion Lutheran Church called "Celebration". They performed for ten years at many different places. A "Celebration" compact disc was also made.

When her husband, Eddie, had a stroke in 1999, Marlene became his caretaker until he entered the Twin Valley Living Center in 2005. For the next eight years, she was a daily visitor of his. Every Monday morning, Marlene and Myrna Thornton led Sing-A-Long and teased that they were the "M & M Girls".

Marlene moved into Valley Pines in 2009. This was her home until her death.

Marlene is survived by four children: Randi Charleston of Moorhead, MN, Kelly (Kristi) Ruud of Twin Valley, MN, Kevin (Diane) Ruud of Twin Valley, MN, and Robin (Jeff) Aamot of Bismarck, ND; nine grandchildren: Carly (Todd) Olson of Fargo, ND, Troy Charleston of Fargo, ND, Henry (Melissa) Ruud of Hines, MN, Holly Ruud of Twin Valley, MN, Gregory Joe (Bernadette) Ruud of Cincinnati, OH, Chad (Erika) Ruud of Twin Valley, MN, Sheena (Casey) Moore of Borup, MN, Anjanette (Shane Voigt) of Menoken, ND, and Ciera (Tyler) Carson, Bismarck, ND; ten great-grandchildren: Brynn and Tavyn Carson, Jacob Ruud, Mady, Izzy, and Frankie Ruud, Lily Applebee, Nora Ruud, Kayla (Scott) Rygg, and Shantell Olson; one great-great grandchild: Nora Rygg; three sisters: Ilene Ruud of Twin Valley, MN, LeAnn (Tom) Erickson of Cottage Grove, MN, and Sheila (Joe) Devitt of Brandon, SD; as well as many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Eddie.

She is a member of Zion Lutheran Church. A private graveside ceremony will be held. She was inurned next to her husband, Eddie, her mother and her father at Zion Lutheran Cemetery.