Ford, Marilynn H. 96, Spring Park, MN, (formerly of Eitzen, MN) on Oct. 30, 2019. Predeceased by parents, Earl John and Elsie Lundquist Hoagberg, and brother Earl. Marilynn married Eugene (Gene) Ford on March 7, 1942, at Fort Dix, NJ, prior to his departure to serve in North Africa and Italy during WWII. Marilynn worked for the U.S. Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife during the war, and she later was a stay-at-home mom for their three children. By the late 1950s, with the kids in school, Marilynn resumed her education as a non-traditional (older) student at the University of Minnesota, earning her BA (cum laude) in Philosophy and MA (Phi Beta Kappa) in Psychology. During this time at the university, she worked as a scholastic advisor to freshmen and honors students and served as the interim director of the Martin Luther King program. In the early 1970s, Marilynn and Gene decided it was time for a change. They found their ideal homesite in rural Houston County, MN, and in 1976 began construction on the "Ford Foundation". In accordance with their belief "to live simply so that others might simply live", the house did not have electricity or indoor plumbing, although electrical service was brought in later when Gene needed oxygen. They built a passive solar house (designed by son Phil), and their primary heat source was a small wood-burning stove. They lived (very well) in this idyllic setting for nearly twenty-five years until Gene died in 1999. She remained at the "Foundation" for another few years, but then moved back to "civilization" and resided at the Presbyterian Homes Lake Minnetonka Shores until her death. Marilynn is survived by her children: Janis Hauser (Alfred) of West Point, VA; James Ford of Minnetonka; and Phillip Ford (Deb) of Minneapolis; grandchildren Kirstin Steele (Andy) of Charleston, SC; Carolyn Cullen (George) of Charlottesville, VA; Ryan Anthony (Leah) of Marshall, MN; and Anna Bailey (Dan) of Brooklyn Park, MN; great-grandchildren (Julian, Savelle, Dareck, Gabe, Marcus, and Maria Anthony, and Oliver Bailey); nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends. Marilynn was an avid reader (historical non-fiction, theology, philosophy and the mysteries of Henning Mankell), a lifetime birder and was passionate about her politics. She also was a philanthropist (Oxfam, Minnesota Historical Society, Audubon Society, Nature Conservancy, All Nations Church, Doctors Without Borders, and Habitat for Humanity). At Marilynn's request, no funeral is planned. Memorials to your favorite charity. Special thanks for the kind help provided by the staff at Lake Minnetonka Shores and Park Nicollet Methodist Hospice Home Care. Vaya con Dios, Marilynn.