Marilyn Bernadette Brunen

Marilyn Bernadette Brunen

August 14, 1952 – August 26, 2026

In the company of her loved ones with both of her sons by her side, Marilyn (Diederichs) Brunen passed away on August 26, 2026, at the age of 74 in Warman, Saskatchewan. A courageous battle with dementia made her gradual decline difficult to bear, but we choose to remember the kindness, compassion, and selflessness that made her so special.

Growing up in St. Benedict, Saskatchewan, Marilyn anchored “The Big Six” (the six Diederichs siblings of Art and Agnes) with the help of older brother, Don. With sisters Carol and Sherry, they enjoyed regular excursions together. The most special of which were hikes in the Rocky Mountains that ended up with a breathtaking views of Lake Agnes and the Three Sisters Mountains. The “Big Six” elevated their clan to the “The Dirty Dozen” with the welcoming of the “Six Out-Laws” into the Diederichs Family after Merle and Darren married their sweethearts. Whenever the Diederichs crew gathered in whatever numbers available, many laughs, card games, stories, and campfire songs were soon to follow. Marilyn’s soul completely and fully enjoyed these gatherings.

Marilyn was intelligent and athletic, graced with elegance on the dance floor and grit catching behind plate in fastball. She was never afraid to let a dance partner lead in a polka or put a shoulder into a runner after they decided to round third and try for home. Her son Kent followed in her footsteps behind the plate becoming a catcher, while Kyle inherited her arm throwing out base runners from left-field. She was also blessed with talent in the kitchen and succeeded keeping her mother’s recipes alive in her household to the satisfaction of her husband and sons.

After meeting and marrying her high school sweetheart, Marilyn and Bob settled on an acreage near Delisle, Saskatchewan. Marilyn worked loyally for one employer and although the company switched owners and names, Marilyn remained the same. Her character, integrity, work ethic, and kindness to customers elevated her from a cashier to eventually operating as a mentor and trusted educator for Western Canada. Marilyn was always a wife and mother first, cooking pregame and post-workday meals as she and Bob covered thousands of miles to travel to hockey and baseball games across the province and country for their two boys. The only instance when Marilyn separated herself from her fellow baseball parents and friends was to stand behind the home run fence. She said it was to collect the balls her sons would eventually hit over the fence but we knew it was so she could drop multiple swear words she learned from her husband when a call did not go the team’s way. Mom led by example demonstrating to her family how someone navigates the challenges of life with dignity, fortitude, and compassion.

Marilyn was predeceased by her husband, Robert (Bob), and by her parents, Art and Agnes Diederichs, brother, Don Diederichs; brothers-in-law Daniel and Barry Brunen, and sisters-in-law, Cheryl (Don), Ramona (Merle) Diederichs, and Bernadine (James) Winkel. She will be lovingly remembered by her children: Kent (Kerri) Brunen, and Kyle (Meredith) Brunen; and four grandchildren: Kenedi, Isabella, Jude, and Beau. She is also survived by her siblings: Carol (Mel) Smith, Merle (Beth Gaschler) Diederichs, Sherry (Blair) Maher, and Darren (Donalee) Diederichs and their families; and brother-in-law James (Bernadine) Winkel, and sister-in-law Cheryl (Daniel) Brunen; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Mass will take place on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Parish, 3339 Centennial Drive, Saskatoon, SK with interment to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to the Saskatchewan Alzheimer’s Society.

Arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.