Obituary of Marcia Folland

A celebration of Marcia’s life will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church in Greenbush at 2 p.m. on Monday, August 4, 2025. Marcia Folland, a beloved first-grade teacher, ardent protector of animals, and a woman of quiet resilience, sharp wit, and unmistakable zest for life, passed away on June 27, 2025, just shy of her 80th birthday. Born on July 26, 1945, in Greenbush, Minnesota, Marcia grew up deeply rooted in her small hometown, attending Greenbush Public Schools from first grade through high school. She remained proud of Greenbush throughout her life and carried her love for its people and landscape wherever she went. After graduating from Concordia College in Moorhead with a degree in Elementary Education in 1967, she moved west for her first—and only—teaching job at Sacajawea Elementary School in Great Falls, Montana. There, she spent her entire career teaching first grade. Her calm presence, clear expectations, and unwavering belief in every child’s potential made her a treasured figure to generations of students and families. Marcia contracted polio when she was just a year old. As a result, she used walking sticks for much of her life and later transitioned to a wheelchair. While her mobility challenges were real, she never used them as an excuse. Instead, she met a world largely unequipped to accommodate people with disabilities with quiet ingenuity and determination. Long before accessibility became a societal priority, Marcia carved her own path—living independently and fully, with her signature practicality and dry humor always intact. Marcia’s life was woven with deep and lasting friendships. Among her dearest were her sister, Lee; her cousins Jean Elton Turbes and Sharon Taylor; and lifelong friends Sandy Stauffenecker, Oren and Jina Lund (who welcomed her into the heart of their family gatherings), Sander Tureson, Francis Gusaas, and Trish Brennan. Surrounding them was a wide and devoted circle of friends whose loyalty, humor, and steady kindness sustained her through every chapter of life. Her fierce independence was made possible, in no small part, by a quiet and generous network of neighbors, companions, and the occasional kind stranger who stepped in when needed. Marcia never took their support for granted. The family extends heartfelt thanks to all who generously lent a hand to help rescue her from various predicaments—or simply showed up. Each gesture helped her live the full and independent life she so deeply valued. Marcia was known for her generosity and her deep, abiding love for animals of all kinds. She had a special tenderness for the creatures others overlooked, often caring for the small and vulnerable with quiet devotion. She also had a deep curiosity about the world beyond her own and a love of travel that took her across the United States and abroad—including memorable journeys to Italy and Norway. A particularly meaningful trip with her sister brought them to visit extended family still living in Norway and to walk the land where their ancestors once lived. That journey to the Folland and Elton family farms connected Marcia not only to her heritage but also to the landscapes and stories that had shaped generations before her. She is survived by her sister, Lee Folland Gloege; niece Kristen Gloege and her husband, Mike Finch (Soren, Anders, Leif); nephew Mark Gloege and his wife, Kari (Isak, Elias, Kiah); sister-in-law Lynn Meyer; nieces Karyn Hopper (Ricky, Amanda), Jennifer Tucy (Ethan, Michael, Jacob), and Nora and her husband Jeff Britt (Nolan, Ian, Jenna); and nephews Kragh (Kyle, Reid) and Peter Folland. She is also survived by cousins Jean Elton Turbes, Marlin Elton, Sharon Taylor, Paul Folland, Glenn Folland, Doris Mortenson, Joanna Folland, and Arlys Bjerke; and an extended family of loved ones. Marcia was preceded in death by her parents, Ingvald and Adele Folland; her brother, Stuart; her brother-in-law, George Gloege; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Marcia’s legacy is one of love—in action and intention. She gave fully to her students, her friends, her community, and the creatures she held dear. Her life was a quiet testament to courage, kindness, and joyful perseverance. Those who knew her will carry forward her example: walk gently, give freely, and never underestimate the power of showing up with a smile and a little mischief in your heart.

Obituary of Marcia Folland

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